.^ 


Library  of 
The  University  of  North  Carolina 


f- 


COLLECTION  OF 
NORTH  CAROLlXrAXA 


•CTi. 


KXDUWKD  \\\ 
JOHN  SPRUNT  HILL 

of  theCLassof  LS89 


^  ^  \3 


I  r 


This  book  must'  not 
be  taken  from  the 
Library  building. 


THIS  TIT! 


:  HAS  BEEN  MlCKOFtLMED 


Form  No.  471 


RED  BELTS 


'*0n  the  ground  lay  Elsie  Tonpit,  hurled  there  by  a  bandit, 
a  huge  brute  of  a  man,  bending  over  her/* 


RED  BELTS 


BY 

HUGH  PENDEXTER 


FRONTISPIECE  BY 

RALPH  FALLEN  COLEMAN 


GARDEN  CITY  NEW  YORK 

DOUBLEDAY,  PAGE  &  COMPANY 

1920 


Copyright,  1920,  hy 

DOUBLEDAY,    PaGE    &    CoMPANY 

All  rights  reserved,  inchiding  that  of 

translation  into  foreign  languages^ 

including  the  Scandinavian 


Copright,  1919,  by  The  Ridgway  Company 


oC 


FOREWOED 

1]^  1784  North  Carolina's  share  of  the  national  debt  was 
a  ninth,  or  about  five  millions  of  dollars  —  a  prodigious 
sum  for  a  commonwealth  just  emerging  from  a  colonial 
chrysalis  to  raise.  Yet  North  Carolina  was  more  fortunate 
than  some  of  her  sister  debutantes  into  Statehood,  in  that  she 
possessed  some  twenty-nine  million  acres  of  virgin  country 
beyond  the  AUeghanies.  This  noble  realm,  from  which  the 
State  of  Tennessee  was  to  be  fashioned,  had  been  won  by  con- 
fiscation and  the  rifles  of  the  over-mountain  settlers  and  had 
cost  North  Carolina  neither  blood  nor  money. 

The  republic  was  too  young  to  have  developed  coalescence. 
A  man  might  be  a  New  Yorker,  a  New  Englander,  a  Vir- 
ginian and  so  on,  but  as  yet  seldom  an  American.  The  ma- 
jority of  the  Northern  representatives  to  the  national  Congress 
believed  the  Union  was  full  grown,  geographically;  that  it 
covered  too  much  territory  already.  To  all  such  narrow 
visions  the  AUeghanies  appealed  as  being  the  natural  western 
boundary.  These  conservatives  insisted  the  future  of  the 
country  was  to  be  found  on  the  seaboard. 

Charles  III  of  Spain  heartily  approved  of  this  policy  of 
restriction  and  set  in  motion  his  mighty  machinery  to  pre- 
vent further  expansion  of  the  United  States.  He  knew  the 
stimuli  for  restoring  his  kingdom  to  a  world  plane  could  be 
found  only  in  his  American  possessions. 

As  a  result  of  those  sturdy  adventurers,  crossing  the  moun- 
tains to  plunge  into  the  unknown,  carried  w^ith  them  scant  en- 
couragement from  their  home  States  or  the  central  Govern- 
ment.    In  truth,  the  national  Congress  was  quite  powerless 

V 


vi  rOREWOED 

to  protect  its  citizens.  And  this,  perhaps,  because  the  new 
States  had  not  yet  fully  evolved  above  the  plan  of  Colonial 
kinship.  It  was  to  be  many  years  before  the  rights  of  States 
gave  way  to  the  rights  of  the  nation.  The  States  were  often 
at  odds  with  one  another  and  would  stand  shoulder  to  shoulder 
only  in  face  of  a  general  and  overwhelming  peril. 

Spain,  powerful,  rapacious  and  cunning,  stalked  its  prey 
beyond  the  mountains.  She  dreamed  of  a  new  world  empire, 
with  the  capital  at  New  Orleans,  and  her  ambitions  formed  a 
sombre  back-curtain  before  which  Creek  and  Cherokee  war- 
riors —  some  twenty  thousand  fighting  men  —  manoeuvred  to 
stop  the  white  settlers  straggling  over  the  Alleghanies.  These 
logical  enemies  of  the  newcomers  were  augmented  by  white 
renegades,  a  general  miscellany  of  outlaws,  who  took  toll  in 
blood  and  treasure  with  a  ferocity  that  had  nothing  to  learn 
from  the  red  men. 

So  the  over-mountain  men  had  at  their  backs  the  indiffer- 
ence of  the  seaboard. 

Confronting  them  were  ambuscades  and  torture.  But  there 
was  one  factor  which  all  the  onslaughts  of  insidious  intrigue 
and  bloody  violence  could  not  eliminate  from  the  equation  — 
the  spirit  of  the  people.  The  soul  of  the  freeman  could  not  be 
bought  with  foreign  gold  or  consumed  at  the  stake.  Men  died 
back  on  the  seaboard,  and  their  deaths  had  only  a  biological 
significance,  but  men  were  dying  over  the  mountains  whose 
deaths  will  exert  an  influence  for  human  betterment  so  long 
as  these  United  States  of  America  shall  exist. 

The  fires  of  sufi^ering,  kindled  on  the  western  slopes  of  the 
Alleghanies  to  sweep  after  the  sun,  contained  the  alchemy  of 
the  spiritual  and  were  to  burn  out  the  dross.  From  their 
clean  ashes  a  national  spirit  was  to  spring  up,  the  harbinger 
of  a  mighty  people  following  a  flag  of  many  stars,  another 
incontestable  proof  that  materiality  can  never  satisfy  the  soul 
of  man. 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTEB  PAGE 

I.    From  Over  the  Mountains 3 

II.     The  Dead  Are  Dangerous 27 

III.  The  Price  of  a  Jug  of  Whisky 43 

IV.  For  Watauga  and  America 68 

Y.     The  Ancient  Law 86 

VI.     On  the  White  Path 106 

VII.     In  the  Maw  of  the  Forest 125 

VIII.    The  Emperor  of  the  Creeks 142 

IX.    Polcher's  Little  Kuse 174 

X.  Through  the  Xeck  of  the  Bottle    .     .     .  197 

XL     Sevier  Offers  the  Eed  Ax 210 

XIL     ToNPiT  Changes  His  Plans 226 

XIII.  The  Sentence  of  the  Wilderness  .     .     .     .237 


RED  BELTS 


RED  BELTS 

CHAPTER  I 

FROM   OVER  THE   MOUNTAINS 

WITH  its  sixty  cabins  and  new  log  court-house  Jones- 
boro  was  the  metropolis  of  the  Watauga  countr}'. 
The  settlers  on  the  Holston  and  Nolichucky  as  a 
rale  lived  on  isolated  farms,  often  entirely  surrounded  by  the 
mighty  forest.  Outside  the  tiny  communities  along  these 
three  rivers  the  Western  country  was  held  by  red  men,  wild 
beasts  and  beastly  white  renegades.  There  were  no  printing- 
presses,  and  it  required  thirty  days  for  a  backwoods  horseman, 
familiar  with  the  difficult  mountain  trails,  to  make  the  State 
capital  five  hundred  miles  away. 

The  Watauga  region  contained  reckless  and  lawless  men, 
and  anarchy  would  have  reigned  if  not  for  the  summary  justice 
occasionally  worked  by  the  backwoods  tribunals.  Ts"orth  Car- 
olina did  not  seem  vitallv  concerned  about  her  children  over 
the  mountains.  Perhaps  '^  step-children  "  would  more  nearly 
describe  the  relationship,  with  the  mother  State  playing  the 
role  of  an  indifferent  dame. 

On  a  July  morning  in  1784  the  usual  bustle  and  indolence  of 
Jonesboro  were  in  evidence.  Men  came  and  went  in  their 
linsey  trousers  and  buckskin  hunting-shirts,  some  for  the 
fields,  some  for  the  chase.  A  group  of  idlers,  scorning  toil, 
lounged  before  the  long  log  tavern  kept  by  Polcher,  quarter- 
blood  Cherokee  and  whispered  to  be  an  agent  of  the  gr=eat 
Creek  chief,  McGlllivray. 

3 


4  RED  BELTS 

The  loungers  were  orderly  enough,  as  a  rnle^  almost  secre- 
tive in  their  bearing.  Plotting  mischief  to  be  carried  out  un- 
der the  protection  of  night,  honest  men  said.  Polcher  seemed 
to  have  complete  control  of  this  class,  and  more  than  one 
seriously  minded  settler  in  passing  scowled  blackly  at  the 
silent  group. 

On  this  particular  morning,  however,  Lon  Hester  was  dis- 
turbing the  sinister  quiet  of  the  tavern  with  his  boisterous 
manners  and  veiled  prophecies.  He  held  an  unsavoury  repu- 
tation for  being  strangely  welcome  among  hostile  Cherokees, 
even  free  to  come  and  go  among  the  "  Chickamaugas  " —  ren- 
egade Cherokees,  who  under  Dragging  Canoe  had  withdrawn 
to  the  lower  Tennessee  to  wage  implacable  war  against  the 
whites. 

Polcher  followed  him  anxiously  from  bar  to  door  and  back 
again,  endeavouring  to  confine  his  loose  tongue  to  eulogies  on 
the  rye  whisky  and  the  peach  and  apple  brandy.  The  other 
habitues  saw  the  tavern-keeper  was  deeply  worried  at  Hester's 
babblings,  yet  he  seemed  to  lack  the  courage  to  exert  any  rad- 
ical restraint. 

*"'  Got  Polcher  all  fussed  up,"  whispered  one  with  a  broad 
grin. 

"  He  carries  it  too  far,"  growled  another. 

Hester,  reckless  from  drink,  sensed  his  host's  uneasiness  and 
took  malicious  delight  in  increasing  it.  Each  time  he  came 
to  the  door  and  Polcher  followed  at  his  heels,  his  hands 
twisting  nervously  in  the  folds  of  his  soiled  apron,  he  would 
wink  knowingly  at  his  mates  and  say  enough  to  cause  the  tav- 
ern-keeper to  tremble  with  apprehension. 

This  baiting  of  the  publican  continued  for  nearly  an  hour, 
and  then  Hester's  drunken  humour  took  a  new  slant.  Reach- 
ing the  door,  he  wheeled  on  Polcher  and  viciously  demanded : 

"What  ye  trailin'  me  for?  Think  I'm  only  seven  years 
old  ?     Or  be  ye  'f raid  ye  won't  git  yer  pay  ?  " 


FEOM  OYEPi  THE  MOUNTAmS  5 

"  Now,  now,  Lon !  Is  that  the  way  to  talk  to  your  old 
friend  ?  "  soothed  Polcher,  fluttering  a  hand  down  the  other's 
sleeve.  '^  There's  some  fried  chicken  and  some  bear  meat  in- 
side, all  steaming  hot  and  waiting  for  you."  Then,  dropping 
his  voice  and  attempting  to  placate  the  perverse  temper  of  the 
man  by  adopting  a  confidential  tone,  he  whispered,  "  And 
there's  things  only  you  and  me  ought  to  talk  about.  You 
haven't  reported  a  word  yet  of  all  that  Eed  Hajason  must  have 
said." 

With  a  raucous  laugh  Hester  openly  jeered  him,  crying : 

"  It's  ye'n  me,  eh  ?  When  I  quit  here,  it  was  '  Te  do  this  ' 
an'  '  Ye  do  that.'     Now  we  must  keep  things  away  from  the 

boys,  eh  ?    !     When  I  git  ready  to  talk  to  ye,  111  let  ye 

know.  An',  when  I  bring  my  talk  to  ye,  mebbe  it  won't  be  me 
that'll  be  takin'  the  orders." 

"  I've  got  some  old  apple  brandy  you  never  tasted,"  mur- 
mured Polcher,  trying  to  decoy  him  inside. 

^*  Ye're  a  master  hand  to  keep  things  to  yerself,"  retorted 
Hester,  readjusting  a  long  feather  in  his  hat.  "  But  mebbe, 
now  I've  made  this  last  trip,  the  brandy  will  be  'bout  the  only 
thing  ye  can  hoot  'bout  as  bein'  all  yer  own." 

Several  of  the  group  grinned  broadly,  finding  only  enjoy- 
ment in  the  scene. 

The  majority,  however,  eyed  the  reckless  speaker  askance. 
They  knew  his  runaway  tongue  might  easil}'  involve  them  all 
in  a  most  unwholesome  fashion.  Polcher's  saturnine  face  sud- 
denly became  all  Indian  in  its  malevolent  expression,  but  by 
a  mighty  effort  he  controlled  himself  and  turned  back  into  the 
tavern. 

Hester  glanced  after  him  and  laughed  sneeringly.  As  he 
missed  the  expected  applause  from  his  mates,  his  mirth  van- 
ished, and  dull  rage  filled  his  bloodshot  eyes  as  he  stared  at 
the  silent  men  and  saw  by  their  downcast  gaze  that  he  was 
rebuked.     Standing  with  hands  on  his  hips,  he  wagged  his 


6  RED  BELTS 

head  until  tlie  feather  in  his  hat  fell  over  one  ear.  In  the 
heraldry  of  the  border  the  cock's  feather  advertised  his  prowess 
as  a  nian-beater,  insignia  he  would  retain  until  a  better  man 
bested  him  in  the  rough-and-tumble  style  of  fighting  that  had 
left  him  cock-of-the-walk. 

"  What's  the  matter  with  ye  all  ?  "  he  growled,  thrusting  out 
his  under  lip.  "  Don't  like  my  talk,  eh  ?  Ye're  lowin'  I 
oughter  be  takin'  orders  from  that  sand-hiller  in  there  ?  Well, 
I  reckon  I'm  'bout  done  takin'  any  lip  from  him.  Ye'll  find 
it's  me  what  will  be  givin'  orders  along  the  Watauga  mighty 
soon  if — " 

"  For  Gawd's  sake,  Lonny,  stop ! "  gasped  a  white-bearded 
man. 

"  Who'll  stop  me  ?  "  roared  Hester,  leaping  from  the  door- 
way and  catching  the  speaker  by  the  throat.  "  Mebbe  ye  'low 
it's  ye  who'll  do  the  stoppin',  Amos  Thatch,  with  yer  sly  tricks 
at  forest-runnin'.     Who  ye  workin'  for,  anyhow?     Who  gives 

ye  orders?    yer  old  hide,  I  reckon  ye're  tryin'  to  carry 

watter  on  both  shoulders." 

"  Don't,  Lonny !  "  gasped  Thatch,  but  making  no  effort  to 
escape  or  resent  the  cruel  clutch  on  his  throat.  "  Ye're  f un- 
nin',  I  know.     Ye  know  I'm  w^orkin'  same's  ye  be." 

"  Workin'  same  as  ye  be,  eh  ?  Ye  old  rip  !  Fiddlin'  round 
in  the  same  class  that  ye  be,  eh  ?  " 

"  Don't  choke  me !  Let's  go  inside  an'  have  a  drink.  Too 
many  ears  round  here.     Too  near  the  court-house." 

With  a  wdld  laugh  Hester  threw  him  aside  and  derisively 
mocked : 

"  Too  near  the  court-house,  is  it  ?  Who  cares  for  the  court- 
house ?  " 

And  he  gTimaced  mockingly  at  the  figure  of  a  man  busily 
writing  at  a  rough  table  by  the  open  window.  Then,  believing 
he  must  justify  his  display  of  independence,  he  turned  to  the 
group  and  with  drunken  gravity  declared : 


FEOM  OYER  THE  MOUNTAINS  7 

"  The  time's  past,  boys,  when  we  have  to  hide  an'  snoop 
round.  There's  a  big  change  comin',  an'  them  that's  got  the 
nerve  will  come  out  on  top.  The  time's  past  when  court- 
houses can  skeer  us  into  walkin'  light  when  we  feel  like  walkin' 
heavy.     I  know.     I've  got  news  that'll  — " 

^'  Now,  shut  up !  "  gritted  Polcher,  darting  out  the  door 
and  whipping  a  butcher-knife  from  under  his  apron.  "  An- 
other word  and  I'll  slit  your  throat  and  be  thanked  by  our 
masters." 

As  Hester  felt  the  knife  prick  the  skin  over  his  Adam's 
apple,  his  jaw  sagged  in  terror.  Sobered  by  the  assault,  he 
realized  he  had  gone  too  far.  Instantly  the  loungers  crowded 
about  him  to  prevent  outsiders  from  witnessing  the  tableau. 
Old  Thatch  whispered : 

"  He's  dirty  drunk.  ^  Nolichucky  Jack '  must  'a'  heard 
some  of  it.     I  seen  him  stop  writing  and  cock  his  ear." 

"  To with  Chucky  Jack !  "  Hester  feebly  defied.     "  I 

ain't  said  nothin'." 

"  If  you  had  finished  what  you'd  begun,  you'd  never  said 
anything  more,"  hissed  Polcher.  "  You  can  drink  your  skin 
full  every  hour  in  the  day,  and  that's  all  right.  But  you've 
got  to  keep  your  trap  closed.  I've  tried  soft  means,  and  now 
I'm  going  to  rip  your  insides  out  if  you  don't  keep  shut." 

Hester  glanced  down  at  his  own  bony  hands  and  the  long 
finger-nails,  pared  to  points  for  the  express  purpose  of  scoop- 
ing out  an  opponent's  eyes,  then  shifted  his  gaze  to  the  grim 
faces  of  his  companions.  He  read  nothing  but  indorsement 
for  Polcher. 

"  I  can't  fight  a  whole  crowd,"  he  jerkily  admitted. 

"  You  don't  have  to  fight  none  of  us,"  warned  Polcher, 
lowering  the  knife  and  hiding  it  under  his  apron.  ^^  All 
you've  got  to  do  is  to  fight  yourself,  to  keep  your  tongue  from 
wagging.  You  say  you've  brought  something.  Is  it  for 
me?" 


8  EED  BELTS 

*^  No,  it  ain't  for  ye,"  sullenly  retorted  Hester,  his  small 
eyes  glowing  niurderously. 

"  Then  keep  it  for  the  right  man.  Don't  go  to  peddling  it 
to  Chucky  Jack  and  all  his  friends/'  said  Polcher. 

Glimpsing  a  stranger  swinging  down  the  brown  trail  that 
answered  for  the  settlement's  one  street,  he  motioned  with  his 
head  for  the  men  to  pass  inside.  To  mollify  the  bully  he 
added  — 

'^  You  understand,  Lon,  it's  yourself  as  much  as  it's  us 
you'll  be  hurting  by  too  much  talk." 

"  It's  that  last  drink  of  that peach  brandy,"  mumbled 

Hester.     ^^  I'll  stick  to  rye  after  this.     I  can  carry  that." 

"  Now  you're  talking  like  a  man  of  sense,"  warmly  ap- 
proved Polcher,  clapping  him  heartily  on  the  shoulder. 
"  Lord,  what  fools  we  all  be  at  times  when  we  git  too  much 
licker  in.  The  boss  combed  me  once  till  I  thought  he  was  go- 
ing to  kill  me  just  because  I  got  to  speaking  too  free.  Now 
let's  join  the  boys  and  try  that  rye." 

^  Outwardly  amiable  again,  Hester  followed  him  indoors ; 
deep  in  his  heart  murder  was  sprouting.  He  knew  Polcher 
wished  to  pacify  him,  and  this  knowledge  only  fanned  his 
fury  higher.  And  he  knew  Polcher  had  lied  in  confessing 
to  babbling,  for  the  tavern-keeper's  taciturnity,  even  when  he 
drank,  was  that  of  his  Indian  ancestors. 

The  whisky  was  passed,  Polcher  jovially  proclaiming  it  was 
his  treat  in  honour  of  Hester's  return  from  somewhere  after  a 
month's  absence.  Hester  tossed  off  his  portion  without  a 
word,  now  determined  not  to  open  his  lips  again  except  in 
monosyllables.  Old  Thatch  sought  to  arouse  him  to  a  pla3rful 
mood  with  a  chuckling  reminder  of  some  deviltry  he  had 
played  on  a  new  settler  over  on  the  Holston.  But  even  pride 
in  his  evil  exploits  could  not  induce  Hester  to  emerge  from  his 
brooding  meditations. 


FKOM  OVER  THE  MOUNTAINS  9 

For  the  first  time  since  he  had  won  the  right  to  wear  the 
cock's  feather  he  had  been  backed  down  —  and,  at  that,  in  the 
presence  of  the  rough  men  he  had  domineered  by  his  brutality. 
Of  course  it  was  the  knife  that  had  done  it,  he  told  himself, 
and  jet  he  knew  it  was  something  besides  the  knife.  If  Old 
Thatch  had  held  a  knife  at  his  throat,  he  would  have  laughed 
at  him.  No,  it  wasn't  that;  it  was  the  discovery  that  there 
dwelt  in  Polcher's  obsequious  form  a  man  he  had  never  sus- 
pected. The  knowledge  enraged  while  subduing  him.  He 
recalled  former  insolences  to  the  tavern-keeper,  his  treatment 
of  him  as  if  he  were  a  humble  servitor. 

It  was  humiliating  to  know  that,  while  he  was  sincere  in  his 
behaviour,  Polcher  had  played  a  part,  had  tricked  him.  He 
knew  that  Polcher  would  gladly  have  him  resume  the  role  of 
bullv,  swear  at  him  and  treat  him  with  disdain.  He  had  no 
doubt  but  that  Polcher  would  meekly  submit  to  such  brow- 
beating. But  never  again  could  he  play  the  bully  with  Pol- 
cher, and  all  this  just  because  he  understood  how  Polcher 
had  fooled  him  by  submitting  in  the  past.  This  was  gall  to 
his  little  soul.  The  man  he  had  looked  down  upon  with  con- 
tempt had  been  his  master  all  along. 

His  smouldering  rage  was  all  the  more  acute  because  he  had 
believed  he  had  been  the  selected  agent  in  mighty  affairs; 
whereas,  he  had  acted  simply  as  a  messenger.  On  entering 
the  settlement  early  that  morning  he  had  smiled  derisively  at 
beholding  the  tavern  and  the  usual  group  before  the  door.  He 
had  supposed  himself  miles  above  them  in  the  secrets  of  the 
great  game  about  to  be  played.  Now  his  self-sufficiency  was 
pricked  and  had  deflated  like  a  punctured  bladder. 

Being  of  cheap  fibre,  Hester  had  but  one  mental  resource 
to  fall  back  upon :  the  burning  lust  to  re-establish  himself  in 
his  owTi  self-respect  by  killing  Polcher.  He  had  been  grossly 
deceived.  He  had  been  pennitted  to  believe  —  nay,  even  en- 
couraged to  believe  —  the  breed  was  only  the  vintner  to  the 


10  EED  BELTS 

elect.  It  was  while  wallowing  in  the  depths  of  this  black 
mood  that  the  sunlight  was  blocked  from  the  doorway  by  the 
arrival  of  the  stranger  Polcher  had  glimpsed  up  the  trail. 

The  newcomer  paused  and  waited  for  the  sunshine  to  leave 
his  eyes  before  entering  the  long  and  dimly  lighted  room. 
His  hunting-shirt  was  fringed  and  tasseled  and  encircled  by  a 
bead-embroidered  belt.  From  this  hung  a  war-ax,  severe  in 
design  and  bespeaking  English  make.  His  long  dark  hair 
was  topped  with  a  cap  of  mink-skin.  In  his  hand  he  carried 
the  small-bore  rifle  of  the  Kentuckians.  The  loungers  drew 
aside  to  both  ends  of  the  bar,  leaving  an  open  space  for  him. 
He  took  in  the  room  and  its  occupants  with  one  wide,  sweep- 
ing glance ;  hesitated,  then  advanced. 

It  maddened  Hester  to  observe  how  servilely  Polcher  leaned 
forward  to  take  the  stranger's  order.  The  other  men,  seem- 
ingly intent  on  their  drink,  quickly  summed  up  the  newcomer. 
A  forest-ranger  fresh  from  Kentucky.  He  stood  nearly  six 
feet  in  his  moccasins  and  carried  his  head  high  as  his  grey 
eyes  ranged  deliberately  over  the  two  groups  before  returning 
to  meet  the  bland  gaze  of  Polcher. 

In  a  drawling  voice  he  informed  — 

"  A  little  whisky." 

"  You've  travelled  far,  sir,"  genially  observed  Polcher,  his 
Indian  blood  prompting  him  to  deduce  a  long,  hard  trail  from 
the  stained  and  worn  garments.  "  That  beadwork  is  Shaw- 
nee, I  take  it." 

"  It  was  once  worn  by  a  Shawnee,"  grimly  replied  the 
stranger.  "  Lost  my  horse  a  few  miles  back  and  had  to  hoof 
it  afoot." 

"  Virginy-born,"  murmured  Polcher.  ' 

"  Yes,  I'm  from  old  Virginy,"  proudly  retorted  the  stranger, 
tossing  up  his  head.     "  A  mighty  fine  State." 

"  Quite  a  number  of  ye  Virginians  seem  keen  to  git  clear 
of  her  mighty  fine  State  an'  come  down  liere  to  squat  on  North 


FEOM  OVER  THE  MOUNTAINS  11 

CarTina  land/'  spoke  up  Hester,  his  insolent  half-closed  eyes 
advertising  mischief. 

The  newcomer  slowly  turned  and  eyed  him  curiously  and 
smiled  faintly  as  he  noted  the  cock's  feather.  And  he  quietly 
reminded : 

"  The  first  settlers  on  the  Watauga  were  Virginians.  Wlien 
they  came  here  fourteen  years  ago,  they  reckoned  they  was  on 
soil  owned  by  Virginy.  I  don't  reckon  North  Car'lina  lost 
anything  by  their  mistake."  He  threw  off  his  drink  and  pro- 
ceeded to  deliver  himself  of  the  sting  he  had  held  in  reserve. 
"  From  what  I  hear,  the  Sand-hillers  didn't  care  to  come  over 
the  mountains  and  face  the  Indians  till  after  the  Virginians 
had  made  the  country  safe." 

The  two  groups  of  men  shifted  nervously.  Hester's  eyes 
flew  open  in  amazement,  then  half-closed  in  satisfaction. 

"  The they  had  to  wait  for  Virginy  to  blaze  a  trail !  " 

he  growled,  slowly  straightening  up  his  long  form  and  tip- 
ping his  hat  and  its  belligerent  feather  down  over  one  eye. 
"  An'  where  was  ye,  mister,  when  the  first  brave  Virginians 
kindly  come  over  here  to  make  things  safe  for  North  Car'- 
lina ?  " 

"I  was  eleven  years  old,  shooting  squirrels  in  Virginy," 
chuckled  the  stranger. 

"  An'  wearin'  a  Shawnee  belt !     Who  give  it  to  ye  ?  " 

'^  The  warrior  who  was  through  with  it  when  I  got  through 
with  him.  It  happened  up  on  the  Ohio,"  was  the  smiling 
response.     ^'  Anything  else  you'd  like  to  ask  ?  " 

"Killed  a  Injun,  eh?"  jeered  Hester.  "That's  easy  to 
tell.  Sure  ye  ain't  the  feller  that  licked  the  Iroquois  all  to 
thunder  ?     No  one  here  to  prove  ye  didn't,  ye  know." 

Toying  with  his  empty  glass,  the  stranger  again  surveyed 
Hester,  much  as  if  the  bully  were  some  strange  kind  of  insect. 
He  grimaced  in  disgust  as  he  observed  the  long,  pointed  fin- 
ger-nails.    "One  thing's  certain,"  he   drawled,  "you  never 


12  EED  BELTS 

fought  no  Iroquois,  or  they'd  have  them  talons  and  that  hair 
of  yours  made  into  a  necklace  for  some  squaw  to  wear.  Just 
what  is  your  fighting  record,  anyway  ?  " 

"  I  ain't  never  been  licked  yet  by  anything  on  two  kickers 
atween  here  an'  the  French  Broad/^  bellowed  Hester,  slouch- 
ing forward,  his  hands  held  half  open  before  him.  Then  he 
flapped  his  arms  and  gave  the  sharp  challenge  of  a  game- 
cock. "  I'm  Lon  Hester,  what  trims  'em  down  when  they're 
too  big  an'  pulls  'em  out  when  they're  too  short."  And  again 
he  sounded  his  chanticleer's  note. 

"  I'm  Kirk  Jackson,  from  the  Shawnee  country,  and  I 
reckon  it's  high  time  your  comb  was  out,"  was  the  even  retort. 

"  Just  a  minute,  gentlemen,"  purred  Polcher,  with  a  wink 
at  Hester.  "  Fun's  fun,  but,  when  you're  armed  with  deadly 
weapons,  you  might  carry  a  joke  too  far.  Before  you  start 
fooling,  let's  put  all  weapons  one  side." 

Jackson's  brows  contracted,  but,  as  Hester  promptly  threw 
a  knife  and  pistol  on  the  bar,  the  Virginian  reluctantly  stood 
his  rifle  against  the  wall  and  hung  his  belt  on  it.  It  was  ob- 
vious he  was  regretting  the  situation.  Hester  read  in  it  a  sign 
of  cowardice  and  crowed  exultingly.  For  a  moment  Jackson 
stood  with  his  gaze  directed  through  the  open  door.  Hester 
believed  he  contemplated  bolting  and  edged  forward  to  inter- 
cept him.  What  had  attracted  Jackson's  gaze,  however,  was 
the  slim  figure  of  a  girl  on  horseback,  and,  as  he  stared,  she 
turned  and  glanced  toward  the  tavern,  and  his  grey  eyes 
lighted  up  with  delighted  recognition. 

^^  Take  yer  last  peep  on  natur',  'cause  I'm  goin'  to  have  both 
of  'em,"  warned  Hester,  hitching  forward  stiff-legged,  his 
hands  held  wide  for  a  blinding  gouge. 

"  You  dirty  dog ! "  gritted  Jackson,  his  soul  boiling  with 
fury  at  the  brutality  of  the  threat. 

With  a  spring  Hester  leaped  forward,  his  right  hand  hook- 


FEOM  OVER  THE  MOUNTAINS  13 

ing  murderously  close  to  the  grey  eyes.  Jackson  gave  ground 
and  found  himself  with  his  back  dangerously  close  to  the 
group  at  the  end  of  the  room.  He  could  feel  the  men  stiff- 
ening behind  him,  and  he  believed  they  would  play  foul  if 
Hester  needed  assistance.  As  Hester  made  his  second  rush, 
Jackson  worked  with  both  elbows  and  knocked  two  men  away 
from  his  back,  sending  one  reeling  against  the  wall,  the  other 
against  the  bar. 

Then  he  leaped  high,  his  legs  working  like  scissors,  feinting 
with  his  left  foot  and  planting  the  right  under  the  bully^s  chin, 
smashing  the  long  teeth  through  the  protruding  tongue  and 
hurling  him  an  inert  mass  against  the  base  of  the  bar. 

"  No  kickin' !  "  yelled  Old  Thatch,  puUing  a  knife. 

"  You  played  foul ! "  roared  Polcher,  his  suave  mask  drop- 
ping and  leaving  his  dark  face  openly  hideous.  "  Shut  that 
door,  boys ! " 

The  men  at  the  upper  end  of  the  bar  rushed  to  the  door 
and  not  only  closed  it  but  appropriated  Jackson's  rifle  and 
belt.  There  was  a  stir  behind  him,  and  Jackson  leaped  to  the 
end  of  the  bar  just  vacated  by  the  men.  Here  he  wheeled 
and  snatched  a  five-gallon  jug  of  brandy  from  the  bar  and 
swung  it  high  above  his  head.  Then  planting  a  foot  on  Hes- 
ter's chest  he  warned : 

"  The  first  move  made  means  I'll  brain  this  dog  at  my  feet 
and  then  damage  the  rest  of  you  as  much  as  I  can." 

Polcher  and  his  henchmen  stood  motionless,  wrathfully  re- 
garding the  man  at  bay. 

^^  You  broke  the  rules  by  kicking,"  said  Polcher. 

"  Eules,  you  miserable  liar  and  scoundrel !  "  hissed  Jackson. 
Then  in  a  loud  voice,  ''  Open  that  door  and  stand  clear,  or 
I'll  smash  this  punkin  at  my  feet  and  rush  you." 

"  One  minute ! "  softly  said  Polcher.  And  he  whipped  a 
long  pistol  from  under  the  bar  and  levelled  it  at  Jackson. 
*'  You  set  that  jug  on  the  bar  and  do  it  soft-like.     You've 


14  EED  BELTS 

played  foul  with  my  friend.  He's  going  to  have  a  fair  shake 
at  you/' 

"  Just  let  me  git  at  him ! "  sobbed  Hester  from  the  floor. 
"  That's  all  I  ask,  bovs/' 

"  Before  you  can  move  that  jug  an  inch,  I'll  shoot  your 
head  off,"  warned  Polcher.  "  Put  the  jug  down  and  step  to 
the  middle  of  the  floor.  No  one  will  meddle  while  Mr.  Hester 
has  a  fair  chance." 

"  Fair  chance  ?  You  low-down  murderers !  Shoot  and 
be !" 

"  I'll  count  three  —  then  I'll  shoot.  There's  witnesses  here 
to  say  you  come  in  drunk  and  hellin'  for  a  row  and  got  it. 
One  —  two  —  " 

"  Drop  that  pistol,  Polcher  I "  called  a  voice  at  the  window. 

The  tavern-keeper  glanced  about  and  paled  as  he  beheld  the 
muzzle  of  a  long  rifle  creep  in  over  the  sill  and  bear  upon  him. 

"  If  you'd  said  three,  it  would  have  been  your  last  word  on 
earth." 

Polcher  lowered  his  weapon  but  protested : 

"  Look  here,  Sevier,  this  stranger  has  assaulted  one  of  my 
patrons.     I  propose  to  see  they  fight  it  out  man-fashion." 

"  A  man-fashion  fight  is  a  bit  beyond  your  imagination," 
was  the  grim  reply.  "  Have  that  door  opened  and  see  the 
stranger's  rifle  is  stood  outside.     Be  quick !  " 

Polcher  nodded  to  Old  Thatch,  who  threw  back  the  door^nd 
passed  the  rifle  and  the  belt.  Jackson  tingled  with  a  fresh 
shock  as  he  glimpsed  a  slim  brown  hand  receiving  the  weapons. 
Then  Sevier  commanded: 

"  Now,  young  man,  come  out.  If  you  want  to  be  murdered, 
there's  a  rare  chance  for  vou  anwhere  alonof  the  border  with- 
out  entering  this  hell-hole.  Eemember,  Polcher,  you're  a 
dead  man  if  a  hand  is  raised  against  this  guest  of  yours." 

Jackson  sprang  through  the  door  and  closed  it  after  him. 


FEOM  OYER  THE  MOUNTAINS  15 

The  girl  he  had  seen  passing  the  tavern  at  the  inception  of  the 
brawl  was  waiting  for  him. 

"  Elsie !  '^  he  whispered,  relieving  her  of  his  weapons. 
"  I've  just  come  from  Charlotte,  where  I  went  to  find  you." 

She  was  as  fair  as  he  was  dark,  and  her  blue  eyes  glistened 
as  he  addressed  her.  Then  she  sighed,  and  an  expression  of 
sadness  overclouded  her  small  face. 

"  I  saw  you  for  a  second,''  she  faltered.  "  It  seemed  impos- 
sible it  could  be  you.  I  knew  you  would  have  trouble  when  I 
saw  them  close  the  door.  I  left  my  horse  and  called  Mr. 
Sevier.     Kirk,   I'm   glad   to   see   you  —  and   I'm   sorry  you 

came." 

John  Sevier,  or  Chucky  Jack,  as  he  was  commonly  called 
after  the  Nolichucky  Eiver  he  lived  on,  stepped  round  the  cor- 
ner of  the  tavern  before  Jackson  could  reply  to  the  girl's  con- 
tradictory statement  and  brusquely  called  out : 

"  Come  along.  Miss  Tonpit.  And  you,  sir ;  this  is  no  place 
for  an  honest  man  to  linger  in." 

"I  owe  you  thanks.  I'll  try  to  thank  you  later,"  said 
Jackson.  "  I  find  Miss  Tonpit  is  an  old  acquaintance  —  an 
old  friend  —  I'll  walk  home  with  her." 

The  girl  cast  a  swift  glance  at  Sevier  and  faintly  shook  her 
head.  Sevier  tucked  his  arm  through  Jackson's  and  (juietly 
insisted : 

"  You  must  come  with  me  now ;  Miss  Tonpit  is  perfectly 
safe  —  perfectly  safe." 

To  Jackson's  amazement  the  girl  flushed,  then  turned  pale 
and  ran  to  where  her  horse  was  tied  to  a  tree. 

" it,  man !     Yirginians  don't  leave  such  matters  to 

chance,"  cried  Jackson,  tugging  to  release  his  arm.  "  The 
young  lady  should  be  escorted  home.  This  seems  to  be  a  des- 
perate community." 

"  I,  too,  am  a  Yirginian,"  Sevier  calmly  reminded,  tight- 


ii 


16  EED  BELTS 

ening  his  hold  en  the  other's  arm.  "  And  I  know  the  com- 
munity better  than  you  do/'  There  was  a  peculiar  hardness 
in  his  voice  as  he  added,  "  Miss  Tonpit  is  perfectly  safe  in  any 
part  of  the  Watauga  settlements  at  any  time  of  day  or  night, 
providing  her  identity  is  known/' 

Jackson  stared  savagely  into  Sevier's  face  and  hoarsely  de- 
manded — 

Just  what  do  you  mean  by  that  ?  " 

Nothing  to  her  hurt,  God  bless  her ! "  was  the  ready  re- 
sponse. "  But  this  is  no  place  to  talk.  If  there  was  an  ounce 
of  courage  to  go  with  the  ton  of  hate  back  in  the  tavern,  we'd 
both  be  riddled  with  bullets  before  this.  Step  over  to  the 
court-house  where  we  can  talk." 

"  But,  Miss  Tonpit  ?  She  lives  near  here  ?  I  shall  have  a 
chance  to  see  her  again  ?  " 

And  Jackson  held  back  and  gazed  after  the  girl,  who  was 
now  cantering  up  the  trail  towards  the  foot-hills. 

"  Every  opportunity,  I  should  say,"  assured  Sevier,  leading 
the  way  into  the  court-house.  "  JSTow  suppose  you  give  an  ac- 
count of  yourself.  I'm  sort  of  a  justice  of  the  peace  here. 
We're  hungry  for  honest  men,  God  knows.  I  believe  you'll  fit 
in  with  the  court-house  crowd  rather  than  with  the  tavern 
crowd." 

"  But  Elsie  ?     Miss  Tonpit  ?  " 

'^  Your  story  first,"  Sevier  insisted,  seating  himself  at  the 
table  and  motioning  Jackson  to  a  stool  f asliioned  from  a  solid 
block  of  cedar. 

Jackson  surrendered  and  rapidly  narrated : 

^^  I'm  Kirk  Jackson,  Virginian.  I  met  the  Tonpits  in 
Charlotte  a  little  over  a  year  ago  and  fell  in  love  with  Miss 
Elsie.  I  must  confess  my  suit  didn't  progress  as  I  had  hoped. 
I  think  her  father  was  opposed.  I  can't  blame  him.  Major 
Tonpit's  daughter  can  look  higher  than  a  forest-ranger.  Any- 
way, I  went  back  to  the  Ohio  country,  where  I  had  served  un- 


FEOM  OYER  THE  MOUNT AIXS  IT 

der  George  Rogers  Clark.     I'm  just  back  from  there.     Ab- 
sence had  renewed  my  courage. 

^'  I  hurried  back  to  Charlotte  and  learned  the  major  had 
moved  over  the  mountains.  My  informant  didn't  know 
whether  he  had  made  his  new  home  in  the  Watauga  district 
or  on  the  Holston.  I  saw  and  recognized  her  just  as  that 
brute  in  the  tavern  was  preparing  to  tear  my  eyes  out.  Now 
tell  me  what  you  meant  by  saying  she  is  safe  anywhere  here- 
abouts, providing  her  identity  is  known." 

Sevier  drummed  the  table  and  frowned.  Then  he  ex- 
plained : 

"  John  Tonpit,  according  to  all  indications,  holds  the  whip- 
hand  over  these  scoundrels  here.     Thev  serve  him,  I  believe." 

^'  Good  heavens  !  "  Jackson  weakly  exclaimed.  "  Major 
Tonpit,  proud  to  arrogance  —  having  truck  with  those  scoun- 
drels ? " 

And  he  wondered  if  this  were  the  girl's  reason  for  pronounc- 
ing his  quest  of  her  as  hopeless.  Then  he  rallied  with  the 
buovancv  of  youth.  If  the  onlv  barrier  between  them  was 
some  sinister  business  of  her  fathers,  he  would  overcome  it, 
although  great  be  her  pride. 

Can't  you  tell  me  something  more  definite  ?  " 


iC 


Sevier  tapped  a  document  on  the  table  and  replied : 
"  This  is  a  petition  I'm  about  to  send  to  Governor  Martin. 
North  Carolina  is  dumping  criminals  and  trash  upon  us,  and 
we're  asking  for  a  superior  court  to  handle  their  cases.  The 
Creeks,  under  Alexander  McGillivray,  are  working  day  and 
night  to  get  the  Cherokees  to  join  them  in  a  decisive  war 
against  all  settlers  on  the  Watauga,  the  Holston  and  the 
French  Broad.  The  petition  asks  for  power  to  raise  militia 
and  for  officers  to  lead  the  men." 

"  But  how  does  Major  Tonpit  come  into  this  ?  "  broke  in 
Jackson.     "  Tavern  brawlers  and  hostile  red  men !  " 


18  EED  BELTS 

"  I'm  coming  to  that,  if  there  is  any  that.  The  Creeks  have 
made  a  secret  treaty  with  Spain.  McGillivray  pledges  twenty 
thousand  warriors  towards  exterminating  the  Western  settle- 
ments.^' 

"  But  you  can't  know  that  for  a  fact." 

"  You've  been  away  the  last  year.  You're  out  of  touch  with 
affairs.  The  treaty  was  signed  at  Pensacola,  June  first,  by 
McGillivray  on  behalf  of  the  Creek  Nation  and  by  Don  Este- 
phan  Miro,  Governor  of  West  Florida  and  Louisiana,  on  be- 
half of  Spain." 

Jackson  was  nonplussed  by  this  intelligence.  He  gazed  in 
silence  at  the  man  across  the  table,  whose  words  were  building 
a  mighty  barrier  between  him  and  the  girl.  Sevier's  hand- 
some face  softened  in  sympathy.  He  was  a  tall,  fair-skinned 
man  with  an  erect  carriage,  and  his  slender  figure  well  set  off 
the  hunting-shirt  he  invariably  wore.  Eager  and  impulsive 
by  nature,  he  was  now  holding  himself  in  restraint  because 
he  knew  his  revelations  were  so  many  blows  at  the  young 
ranger's  happiness. 

"  The  major  fits  into  all  this.  Spain  and  the  Creeks  ?  " 
Jackson  faintly  asked. 

"  So  I  firmly  believe.  There  is  one  flaw  in  the  chain  — 
the  Cherokees.  For,  while  McGillivray  has  pledged  twenty 
thousand  braves,  his  Creeks  can't  furnish  any  such  a  number 
of  fighting  men.  There  are  a  few  thousand  Seminoles  he 
can  get,  but  unless  he  lines  up  the  Cherokee  Nation  he  has 
promised  more  warriors  than  he  can  call  to  the  war-path. 
One  of  the  principal  chiefs  of  the  Cherokees,  Old  Tassel,  is 
holding  off.  He  controls  three  thousand  warriors.  He  wants 
his  lands  back,  but  he  wants  to  get  them  by  peaceful  measures. 

"  Major  Tonpit  has  great  influence  with  Old  Tassel.  Could 
he  swing  him  for  a  war  against  us,  not  only  would  his  three 
thousand  fighting  men  be  added  to  McGillivray's  total,  but  the 
rest  of  the  Cherokee  Nation,  now  hesitating,  would  gladly  rush 


FROM  OVER  THE  MOUNTAINS  19 

in.  Major  Tonpit  may  supply  the  link  to  complete  the  chain. 
It  will  be  the  weakest  link  in  the  chain,  yet  absolutely  neces- 
sary for  McGillivray's  success/' 

"  Tonpit  a  schemer  for  Spain !  "  gasped  Jackson. 

Sevier  frowned,  then  shrugged  his  shoulders  and  corrected : 

"  Scarcely  a  schemer.  He  isn't  cold-blooded  enough  for 
that.  For  a  schemer  you  need  a  man  of  Polcher's  cool  mind. 
Tonpit  is  flattered  by  attentions  from  royalty.  He  loves  roy- 
alty. His  head  is  in  the  clouds  of  personal  ambition.  He 
sees  himself  a  dictator  of  a  mighty  province  reaching  from  the 
Alleghanies  to  the  Mississippi.  If  put  in  as  royal  governor  he 
would  rule  supreme,  he  believes. 

"  I  became  suspicious  when  he  gave  up  his  comfortable  home 
in  Charlotte  and  went  to  the  State  capital  and  then  came  out 
here  and  made  his  home.  Since  being  here,  he  has  informed 
Governor  Martin  that  the  Indians  are  friendly  and  desire 
peace  but  that  our  settlers  persist  in  stealing  their  lands  and 
abusing  them.  This  has  won  him  the  friendship  of  Old  Tas- 
sel. Every  talk  Tassel  has  sent  to  the  governor  has  been  car- 
ried by  Tonpit." 

"  That's  bad  !  "  cried  Jackson.  "  But  I  can't  make  myself 
believe  he  deliberately  plots  for  Spain.  Even  in  the  national 
Congress  men  are  expressing  different  views  as  to  what  shall 
be  done  with  the  region  west  of  the  mountains." 

"  True.     And  Major  Tonpit  takes  the  views  of  Charles  III." 

"  But  he  may  be  friendly  with  Old  Tassel  and  yet  not  be 
working  with  the  Creeks,"  persisted  Jackson,  trying  to  find 
something  favourable  to  say  in  behalf  of  Elsie's  father. 

"  I  know  he  is  hand  in  glove  with  McGillivray,"  solemnly 
declared  Sevier.  "  I  know  McGillivray  looks  on  him  as  a  man 
of  insane  ambitions  but  lacking  balance.  I  know  McGillivray 
even  now  is  holding  back  from  war  only  because  he  is  not  quite 
satisfied  that  Tonpit  will  live  up  to  his  agi'eements.  It  isn't 
the  major's  heart  or  courage  he  d©ubts,  but  his  lack  of  balance. 


20  RED  BELTS 

Once  he  gets  what  he  believes  to  be  a  firm  hold  on  Tonpit, 
you'll  see  things  begin  to  hum  along  the  Holston  and  the  Wa- 
tauga." 

Jackson  shifted  the  trend  of  conversation^  seeking  to  find  a 
weak  spot  in  Sevier's  hypothesis. 

"  After  all,  McGillivray's  probably  over-rated.  I  never  saw 
an  Indian  yet  who  could  plan  a  campaign  and  stick  to  it/'  he 
hopefully  said. 

Sevier  smiled  ruefully. 

"You  don't  know  Alexander  McGillivray,  who  calls  him- 
self ^  Emperor'  of  the  Creek  Nation.  His  father  was  Lachlan 
McGillivray,  a  Scotch  trader.  His  half-breed  mother  was 
of  a  powerful  family  of  the  Hutalgalgi,  or  Wind  clan.  Her 
father  was  a  French  officer.  McGillivray  was  educated  at 
Charleston  and  studied  Latin  and  Greek  as  well  as  the  usual 
branches.  He's  a  partner  in  the  firm  of  Panton,  Forbes  and 
Leslie  in  Pensacola.  Naturally  that  firm  has  a  monopoly  of 
the  Creek  trade.  He's  shrewd  as  a  Scotchman,  has  the  polish 
of  a  Frenchman  and  is  more  cunning  than  any  of  his  Indians. 
He  is  an  educated  gentleman  according  to  English  standards. 
He  lives  up  to  his  title  of  ^  Emperor.'  I  must  say  this  for 
him :  he's  kind  to  captives  and  honestly  tries  to  do  away  with 
the  usual  Indian  cruelties. 

"  Now  to  return  to  my  petition  to  show  where  we  fit  in. 
It's  Old  Tassel's  deadly  fear  of  the  Watauga  riflemen  as  much 
as  his  desire  for  peace  that  is  holding  him  back.  And,  if  he 
should  die,  his  three  thousand  warriors  would  flock  to  Mc- 
GilUvray  at  once.  The  renegade  Cherokees,  who  call  them- 
selves Chickamaugas,  are  impatient  to  take  the  path.  As 
things  are  turning  out,  my  riflemen  aren't  enough.  They've 
served  without  pay.  The  new  settlers  demand  pay.  We  must 
have  power  to  raise  and  equip  militia." 

"  I  begin  to  understand,"  Jackson  sadly  admitted.  "  This 
Polcher  ?     He  must  be  active  in  anything  evil.' 


?> 


FEOM  OVEE  THE  MOUNTAINS  21 

"  He's  cunning.  His  tavern  is  where  messages  are  brought 
and  relayed  on.  If  word  comes  to  Tonpit,  it  is  left  at  the 
tavern  and  sent  secretly.  Look  here,  young  man!  Perhaps 
I've  talked  more  freely  than  I  should.  You're  in  love  with 
Miss  Elsie,  and  you'd  he  a  fool  if  you  weren't.  But  that  nat- 
urally makes  you  wish  to  see  things  that  exonerate  the  major. 
Wander  round  and  see  and  hear  for  yourself.  In  a  few  days, 
maybe,  I'll  feel  like  telling  3^ou  something  else.  Only  remem- 
ber this:  Elsie  Tonpit  hasn't  a  better  friend  west  of  the 
Alleghanies  than  John  Sevier.  By  heavens!  I'm  a  better 
friend  to  her  than  her  father  is !  " 

He  clamped  his  lips  together  and  began  rereading  the  pe- 
tition. 

Jackson  studied  the  strong  visage  with  new  interest.  Sev- 
ier's face  reminded  him  strongly  of  Washington's  in  its  Anglo- 
Saxon  lines  of  determination.  But  there  was  also  a  certain 
mobility  of  expression,  a  mirroring  of  emotions,  which  came 
from  his  French  blood.  He  was  a  Virginian,  and  the  young 
ranger  had  heard  his  fame  echoing  up  and  down  the  lonely 
Ohio.  As  ISTolichucky  Jack  —  usually  clipped  to  Chucky  Jack 
—  his  name  was  reputed  to  be  worth  a  thousand  rifles  when 
he  took  the  field  against  the  red  men. 

But  it  puzzled  Jackson  to  understand  how  this  man,  a  gen- 
tleman born  and  bred,  could  have  left  the  solid  comforts  of  his 
home  at  Newmarket  in  the  beautiful  valley  of  the  Shenandoah, 
thrust  behind  him  positive  assurances  of  great  political  ad- 
vancement, cast  off  the  social  prominence  he  so  naturally 
graced  and  bring  his  Bonnie  Kate  to  the  lonely  country  of  the 
Nolichucky. 

Jackson's  material  mind  had  taught  him  that  one  fought 
Indians  because  one  must,  not  from  choice.  A  beautiful  and 
devoted  wife  and  ample  fortune  appealed  to  the  young  ranger 
as  being  the  goal  in  life.     It  never  entered  his  process  of 


22  RED  BELTS 

reasoning  that  Destiny  transplants  men  to  obtain  results,  just 
as  Nature  supplies  seeds  with  methods  of  locomotion  so  that 
new  regions  may  be  fructified.  The  vital  incentive  for  Jack- 
son's admiration  for  the  man  was  not  his  sacrifices  but  rather 
his  knowledge  that  Chucky  Jack  had  invented  a  new  style  of 
forest-fighting. 

He  could  not  know  that  in  his  lifetime  a  certain  Corsican 
would  utilize  the  same  tactics  in  overrunning  Europe :  namely, 
the  hurling  of  a  small  force  with  irresistible  momentum  and 
the  achieving  of  greater  results  thereby  than  by  the  leisurely 
employment  of  large  bodies  of  soldiery.  The  border  already 
rang  with  the  victories  of  Chucky  Jack,  who  was  to  fight  thir- 
ty-odd battles  with  the  red  men  and  never  suffer  a  defeat; 
whose  coming  to  the  Watauga  country  marked  the  passing  of 
defensive  warfare  and  instituted  the  offensive. 

"  Yes,  it's  natural  that  you  should  try  to  think  leniently  of 
Major  Tonpit,"  murmured  Sevier  without  raising  his  eyes 
from  the  petition. 

Jackson  flushed  and  coldly  replied : 

"  I  am  a  Virginian,  first  and  last.  I  have  nothing  to  do 
with  the  Spanish  King." 

"  We  soon  must  begin  to  call  ourselves  Americans  —  if 
we  wouldn't  bend  the  knee  to  Spain,"  gently  corrected  Sevier 
with  a  whimsical  smile. 

"Of  course,"  agreed  Jackson.  " We're  all  Americans  now. 
But  first  we  are  Virginians,  I  take  it." 

Sevier  rose  and  stood  at  the  window  and  stared  thought- 
fully across  the  valley  and  spoke  as  one  repeating  articles  of 
faith  in  the  privacy  of  his  chamber : 

"  Virginians  when  we  were  colonials,  but  now  Americans 
first  and  last  —  if  this  republic  is  to  endure.  If  this  union 
of  States  is  to  last,  we  must  forget  our  former  identity;  we 
must  be  merged  in  one  compact  body  and  be  known  as  Amer- 
icans.    Well,  well.     It  will  all  come  some  day,  please  God !  " 


FKOM  OVEK  THE  MOUNTAINS  23 

He  broke  off  and  leaned  from  the  window  and  called  out : 

"  Ho,  Major  Hubbard  !     Step  here  a  minute." 

Jackson  saw  a  tall  figure  in  forest  dress  turn  in  the  trail 
leading  to  the  woods.  As  the  man  came  toward  the  court- 
house, he  beheld  a  dark,  gloomy  face,  a  countenance  he  could 
never  imagine  as  being  lighted  with  a  smile.  Hubbard  came 
up  to  the  window,  and  Sevier  said : 

"  Mr.  Jackson,  step  here,  please.  Meet  Major  James  Hub- 
bard. Major,  this  is  Kirk  Jackson,  fresh  from  the  Shawnee 
country  and  come  to  live  with  us." 

Hubbard's  face  glowed  with  passion,  and  he  clutched  Jack- 
son's hand  fiercely  and  cried: 

"  The  Shawnees  !     I  envy  you  your  chance,  sir." 

Sevier  gently  nudged  Jackson  to  stand  aside  and,  leaning 
from  the  window,  muttered: 

"  Major,  times  are  ticklish.  Any  little  break  will  mean  ruin 
to  many  cabins.     Eemember !  " 

Hubbard  made  some  reply  inaudible  to  Jackson.  In  a  freer 
tone  Sevier  asked  — 

^^  What  is  the  latest  news  ?  " 

"  That  mixed-blood,   John  Watts,   and   his   Chicka- 

maugas  have  gone  to  water.  They'll  be  raiding  the  French 
Broad  and  Holston  next." 

Sevier  pursed  his  lips  musingly  and  said: 

"  AVe  must  have  more  men,  more  arms  and  money.  North 
Carolina  must  act  on  my  petition." 

Hubbard  laughed  harshly  and  sneered: 

"  Why  should  they  give  money  when  you've  always  been 
ready  to  foot  the  bills?  Ask  them  for  money,  and  they'll 
tell  you  that  the  Indians  —  curse  them,  curse  them  —  are 
friendly  and  much  abused.  And  they'll  leave  you  to  pay  the 
shot." 

"  I  can't  pay  again.  I've  spent  my  all,"  Sevier  quietly  an- 
swered.    "  But  I'm  hopeful  the  State  will  show  common  sense. 


24  RED  BELTS 

Xorth  Carolina  must  realize  we're  no  longer  able  to  handle 
the  criminals  pouring  over  the  mountains  without  courts; 
that  we're  unable  to  stand  off  the  Creek  Nation  once  the 
Cherokees  join  it.  Old  Tassel  can't  always  hold  his  three 
thousand  in  check." 

"  His  chiefs  rebel.  Many  of  his  young  warriors  are  steal- 
ing away  to  go  to  water  and  follow  ^Yatts/'  was  the  gloomy  re- 
sponse. 

A  few  words  more  and  Hubbard  returned  to  the  trail  and 
struck  off  for  the  forest.  Sevier  stood  and  looked  after  him 
uneasily.  Wheeling  about,  his  face  betrayed  his  anxiety  and 
prompted  Jackson  to  ask: 

"  What's  the  matter  with  him  ?  Any  relation  to  Hub- 
bard, the  Injun-killer,  we  heard  about  up  on  the  Ohio  ?  " 

"  He  is  the  killer.  He's  killed  more  Cherokees  than  any 
other  three  men  on  the  border.  His  family  was  wiped  out  by 
Shawnees  back  in  Virginia.  You  can't  make  him  believe  any 
Indian  should  be  allowed  to  live.  And  he  worries  me.  Now 
he's  off  to  scout  the  forest.  It  only  needs  the  killing  of  an 
Indian  or  so  to  explode  the  powder  under  our  feet.  Huh! 
I  wish  he  had  not  gone." 

"  He  had  news  ?  " 

"  Nothing  more  than  we've  suspected  for  a  year.  John 
Watts  is  always  ready  to  take  the  path.  He's  the  shrewdest 
of  the  Cherokee  leaders.  If  Old  Tassel  loses  his  grip  or  should 
decide  that  peace  doesn't  pay  — ^" 

His  French  blood  found  expression  in  an  outward  gesture 
of  the  hands  as  he  dropped  down  at  the  table. 

Toying  with  the  petition  and  speaking  his  thoughts  aloud, 
he  ran  on : 

"  But  Major  Hubbard  wants  war.  He's  inclined  to  look 
on  the  dark  side  of  things.  Tush!  The  State  by  this  time 
realizes  what  we've  won  for  her  without  an  ounce  of  help. 
Pure  selfishness  will  compel  the  Legislature  to  send  us  the 


FEOM  OVER  THE  MOUXTAI^^S  25 

necessary  aid.  Ha!  There's  news,  by  heavens!  The  Cher- 
okees  must  have  struck !  " 

It  was  the  distant  clatter  of  flying  hoofs.  Sevier  dropped 
through  the  window  with  Jackson  at  his  heels.  Polcher  and 
his  henchmen  were  piling  from  the  tavern  and  staring  toward 
the  mountains.  Some  one  was  riding  at  top  speed  from  the 
east. 

Although  the  rider  might  be  bringing  the  fate  of  a  conti- 
nent, Jackson's  first  interest  was  in  a  man  and  woman  canter- 
ing up  the  trail  from  the  opposite  direction.  Instead  of 
watching  for  the  furious  rider,  he  had  eyes  only  for  the  two. 
The  man  was  tall  and  gaunt  and  of  haughty  bearing,  his 
sharp,  cold  face  swinging  from  side  to  side  as  if  he  were  the 
master  riding  among  slaves.  The  girl  was  his  daughter,  Elsie 
Tonpit.  The  young  Virginian  forgot  the  approaching  mes- 
senger and  ran  toward  the  couple,  his  heart  beating  tumul- 
tuously. 

To  his  glad  surprise  Tonpit  greeted  him  with  a  shadowy 
smile  and  stretched  out  a  hand  in  welcome.  The  girl,  how- 
ever, betrayed  symptoms  of  alarm  instead  of  being  pleased  by 
her  father's  attempt  at  cordiality.  She  even  sought  to  evade 
the  fond  gaze  of  her  lover  and  glanced  apprehensively  toward 
the  court-house.  Jackson  knew  in  a  moment  that  she  felt 
shame  for  what  she  believed  Sevier  had  told  him. 

"  When  Elsie  informed  me  you  were  in  Jonesboro,  Mr.  Jack- 
son, I  set  out  to  find  you,'^  Tonpit  now^  delighted  the  young 
man  by  saying. 

"  I  have  to  thank  her  and  Sevier  for  rescuing  me  from  a 
ridiculous  position,"  he  blurted  out  and  then  bit  his  tongue 
for  having  uttered  the  words. 

^^  Ha !  How  is  that  ?  "  coldly  demanded  Tonpit,  but  with 
his  gaze  seeking  a  glimpse  of  the  rider,  now  well  among  the 
cabins. 

"  The  men  in  the  tavern  were  taking  advantage  of  their 


26  RED  BELTS 

numbers/'  quickly  spoke  up  the  girl.  "  The  man  called  Hes- 
ter was  the  ringleader,  I  should  say." 

^'  This  is  the  first  time  you've  said  anything  about  it,"  mur- 
mured her  father,  his  eyes  now  lighting  as  they  focussed  on 
the  bobbing  figure  of  the  horseman. 

"  It  only  needed  Mr.  Sevier's  command  to  relieve  Mr.  Jack- 
son of  any  embarrassment,"  she  awkwardly  explained. 

Tonpit's  thin  visage  grew  cold  with  hate. 

"  I  and  my  friends  refuse  to  be  beholden  to  this  man 
Sevier,"  he  harshly  warned. 

And,  touching  spur  to  his  mount,  he  beckoned  the  girl  to 
follow  him  and  darted  toward  the  tavern.  With  one  back- 
ward glance  she  rode  after  him. 

Jackson  ran  forward,  as  did  Sevier,  as  the  rider  reined  in 
before  the  tavern  door  and  wearily  dismounted.  From  all 
quarters  came  the  settlers  and  their  families.  Polcher 
brought  out  a  pitcher  of  brandy,  and  the  messenger  drank 
deeply.  Then  jumping  on  a  horse-block  he  waved  a  paper 
in  his  hand  and  cried  out  — 

"  For  Chucky  Jack !  " 

"  Here !  "  called  Sevier  from  the  edge  of  the  crowd. 

The  missive  was  tossed  into  his  outstretched  hand.  As  he 
was  breaking  the  seal,  the  messenger  drew  a  deep  breath, 
waved  his  arms  for  silence  and  shouted  — 

"  North  Carolina  has  ceded  us  to  the  central  Government 
to  pay  for  her  part  of  the  war  debt !  " 


CHAPTER  II 

THE  DEAD  ARE   DAXGEKOUS 

WITH  a  low  word  for  his  daughter  to  follow  him  Ton- 
pit  backed  his  horse  clear  from  the  crowd  and 
spurred  away.  For  sixty  seconds  the  astounded 
gathering  remained  motionless.  Sevier  stared  incredulously 
at  the  message,  while  his  neighbours  gazed  stupidly  at  the  dusty 
messenger.  All  felt  as  if  they  had  been  abandoned  in  the 
wilderness  without  shelter  or  means  of  self-defence.  True, 
the  over-mountain  men  had  always  fought  their  own  way  and 
financed  their  own  campaigns,  yet  in  the  back  of  their  minds 
was  ever  the  thought  that,  should  a  crisis  come,  the  mother 
State  must  aid  them. 

That  a  crisis  was  imminent  was  evidenced  by  Chucky 
Jack's  open  mention  of  his  petition  for  soldiers.  Chucky 
Jack  was  worth  many  riflemen  and  had  whipped  the  Indians 
many  times.  All  the  more  proof  that  the  settlements  must 
be  in  desperate  straits  when  he  was  impelled  to  beseech  help. 
And  of  a  sudden  they  were  disowned;  there  was  no  mother 
State,  no  slumbering  asset  they  could  call  to  life. 

Sevier  had  not  talked  much  about  the  possibility  of  Creeks 
and  Cherokees  uniting,  but  the  petition,  coupled  with  whis- 
pered rumours  seeping  through  the  cabins,  now  brought  mor- 
bid speculations.  How  many  Indians  would  come  and  when, 
were  the  questions  more  than  one  man  and  woman  asked  them- 
selves. Who  would  go  to  hold  the  line  on  the  French  Broad  so 
that  the  red  raiders  might  not  penetrate  to  the  Watauga? 

Jackson  watched  Tonpit  ride  hastily  away,  followed  by  El- 
sie, and  he  fancied  he  beheld  elation  in  the  man's  hard  visage 

27 


28  EED  BELTS 

and  sorrow  in  the  girl's  gentle  face.  It  was  quite  a  coinci- 
dence, too,  that  Major  Tonpit  should  ride  forth  just  in  time  to 
learn  the  momentous  news  —  unless  he  had  been  expecting  it 
and  came  purposely  to  hear  it.  His  prompt  return  home  gave 
colour  to  the  suspicion. 

The  young  Virginian  shifted  his  attention  to  Chucky  Jack. 
Sevier  perused  the  message  for  the  second  time,  crumpled  it 
into  a  ball  as  if  to  hurl  it  from  him,  thought  better  of  it  and 
tucked  it  inside  his  buckskin  shirt  and  called  to  the  assem- 
blage : 

"  Women  and  men  of  the  Watauga,  North  Carolina  will 
have  none  of  us.  We're  shoved  through  the  door  and  told  to 
shift  for  ourselves.  To  be  exact,  we're  told  to  look  to  the 
central  Government  for  protection.  And,  as  you  know,  the 
ink  is  scarcely  dry  on  the  petition  I  was  about  to  send  to  the 
Legislature,  asking  for  courts  and  militia. 

"Without  consulting  one  of  the  twenty-five  thousand  set- 
tlers on  this  side  of  the  mountains,  North  Carolina  chooses  to 
pay  her  share  of  the  national  debt  by  the  simple  process  of 
ceding  us  to  Congress.  She  proposes  to  pay  her  debts  with 
lands  we  won  by  rifle  and  ax.  The  act  was  passed  by  the 
Legislature  a  month  ago,  and  for  thirty  days,  while  the  mes- 
senger was  bringing  the  news,  we  have  been  set  off  from  North 
Carolina. 

"  During  those  thirty  days  our  plight  has  been  as  serious  as 
it  is  now,  only,  not  knowing  the  truth,  we  worried  but  little. 
This  fact  should  teach  us  that  we  can  care  for  ourselves  dur- 
ing the  next  thirty  days,  and  so  on,  until  there  is  no  dan- 
ger from  the  Indians  along  our  border.  So  I  ask  you  to 
be  of  brave  heart  and  to  remember  the  Watauga  people 
always  have  had  to  hoe  their  own  row.  Please  God  we  can 
keep  on. 

"  A  year  or  two  ago  this  message  would  have  worried  me 
none.     I  could  send  out  the  call,  and  my  old  friends  would 


THE  DEAD  AEE  DANGEROUS  29 

respond  overnight,  as  fast  as  horseflesh  could  fetch  them.  If 
an  Indian  war  comes  now,  it  will  be  more  serious  than  what 
we've  experienced  in  the  past  but  nothing  that  our  rifles  can 
not  blast  away.  I  still  can  count  on  my  friends  and  old  com- 
panions-in-arms.  Of  the  newcomers  who  have  come  to  us  in 
such  numbers  I  am  not  so  sure." 

And  he  paused  to  dart  a  lightning  glance  at  Polcher  and 
his  cronies  pressed  about  the  tavern  door. 

'^  The  national  Congress  oughter  help  us,"  piped  up  an  old 
man. 

"  It  would  be  glad  to.  But  the  national  Government,  while 
empowered  to  lev}'-  armies,  can  not  compel  a  single  State  to 
furnish  a  soldier,"  Sevier  reminded.  "  The  national  Govern- 
ment can  do  only  what  the  States  will  permit  it  to  do.  Last 
year  several  hundred  soldiers  stormed  the  very  doors  of  Con- 
gress and  demanded  their  over-due  pay,  and  Congress  was 
unable  to  escape  the  mob's  demands.  There  wiU  come  a  time 
when  our  Congress  will  have  the  power  to  protect  its  citizens 
in  this,  or  in  any  other,  land.     But  not  now." 

"  If  not  now,  then  by  the  Eternal,  men  of  Watauga,  there 
is  one  power  that  can  defend  us !  "  cried  Polcher  from  the 
tavern  doorway.  "  And  we  have  only  to  ask  to  be  freed  from 
either  Creek  or  Cherokee." 

"  Aye !  Aye !  Spain  looks  after  its  own  !  "  cried  another  of 
the  tavern  coterie. 

''  So  does  the  devil ! "  thundered  Sevier,  enraged  at  Pol- 
cher's  making  the  Creek  menace  common  property.  "  "We'll 
get  nothing  from  Spain  only  as  we  pay  dearly  for  it.  And 
remember,  there  can  be  no  danger  from  the  Creeks  except  as 
Spain  sets  the  mischief  afoot.  All  who  would  be  free  and 
live  in  security  follow  me  to  the  court-house.  Messengers 
must  be  sent  out;  delegates  must  be  elected  and  called  here." 

"  AVhat's  yer  plan  ?  "  hooted  a  tavern  fellow. 
My  plan  is  to  form  a  Government  of  our  own  and  to  be 


li 


o 


0  KED  BELTS 


admitted  into  the  Union  as  a  separate  State ! "  retorted 
Sevier  in  a  ringing  voice. 

The  decent  element  raised  a  hoarse  cheer,  and  faces  hereto- 
fore gloomy  became  inspired.     Polcher  quickly  warned: 

"  Vermont's  been  trying  to  be  admitted  ever  since  1776. 
We  can't  stand  on  air,  neither  one  thing  nor  another.  Spain 
will  protect  us  and  give  us  justice.  If  she  should  fail,  we 
could  turn  to  and  drive  her  into  the  gulf  !  " 

"  The  time  to  drive  her  into  the  gulf  is  before  you  slip  on 
her  yoke !  "  shouted  Sevier.  "  And,  if  we're  able  to  do  that 
same  thing,  why  seek  her  protection  ?     To  the  court-house !  " 

The  women  gathered  in  knots  to  discuss  the  startling  news. 
The  men  followed  their  old  leader.  Jackson  remained  outside 
the  court-house,  watching  the  scene.  His  experience  with 
Kentuckians  on  the  Ohio  had  taught  him  the  feeble  central 
Government  was  powerless  to  function  in  a  crisis  like  this  — 
and  this  because  the  thirteen  States  retained  the  mental  atti- 
tude of  the  thirteen  colonies. 

Polcher's  advocacy  of  accepting  the  protection  of  Spain 
was  not  painfully  repugnant  to  Jackson,  no  more  than  it  was 
to  some  others  west  of  the  mountains,  who  believed  themselves 
forsaken  and  left  to  shape  their  own  destiny.  When  it  hurt, 
it  hurt  pride,  not  a  national  spirit.  He  repudiated  the  idea 
because  of  an  instinctive  dislike  to  domination  by  any  foreign 
power.  His  sense  of  Americanism  was  not  shocked  as  Sevier's 
was,  for  the  union  Polcher  openly  urged,  and  which  John 
Tonpit  was  suspected  of  secretly  promoting,  simply  meant  a 
political  affiliation  and  not  the  death  of  national  ideals,  the 
seeds  of  which  were  scarcely  sown. 

Jackson,  however,  firmly  opposed  the  project,  for  his  fore- 
bears had  come  to  America  to  escape  overlords.  Then  again 
common  sense  told  him  the  law  of  compensation  would  decree 
that  Spain's  proteges  must  pay  Spain's  price. 

Being  in  this  frame  of  mind,  he  saw  no  reason  why  he 


THE  DEAD  AEE  DAXGEEOUS  31 

should  not  play  his  luck  by  accepting  Tonpit's  courteous  de- 
meanour at  full  face-value  and  profit  by  it  to  the  extent  of 
wooing  his  daughter.  His  last  meeting  with  Tonpit  before 
going  to  the  Ohio  country  convinced  him  his  suit  was  frowned 
upon.  Xow,  with  the  father's  smile  still  soothing  him,  with 
a  vivid  picture  of  Elsie's  shy,  backward  glance,  he  had  small 
liking  for  the  court-house  and  its  Jumble  of  loud-voiced 
phillipics  against  Spain  and  North  Carolina.  The  situation 
was  localized  in  his  estimation.  And  yet  he  hesitated,  his 
loyalty  to  Sevier,  whom  he  had  known  for  only  a  few  hours, 
holding  him  back. 

Polcher  came  from  the  tavern  with  Lon  Hester,  and  Jack- 
son thrust  his  thumbs  into  his  belt  and  strode  toward  them, 
thinking  it  timely  to  conclude  the  morning's  one-sided  argu- 
ment. But  Polcher  said  some  hurried  words  to  the  bullv, 
who  turned  and  hastened  down  the  trail,  while  the  tavern- 
keeper  himself  affected  to  ignore  the  truculent  ranger  and 
strolled  toward  the  court-house.  Jackson  turned  to  follow 
him,  only  to  behold  the  people  pouring  from  the  building. 
There  came  staccato  commands,  and  a  score  of  men  flew  to 
their  horses  and  rode  awav. 

The  Virginian  breathed  in  relief.  It  was  not  necessary 
for  him  to  choose  between  love  and  duty.  Chucky  Jack  had 
rushed  matters  through  with  his  characteristic  energy,  and 
the  messengers  were  off  to  arrange  for  the  election  of  dele- 
gates. The  tavern-keeper,  too,  was  no  longer  visible,  and  with 
nothing  to  detain  him  Jackson  took  the  trail  to  the  south,  his 
heart  as  light  as  his  moccasined  feet. 

What  recked  youth  in  love-time  even  if  the  fate  of  the 
Anglo-Saxon  race  in  America  were  at  stake !  Ever  thus  does 
youth  help  shape  the  course  of  political  evolution,  help  win  a 
world  without  realizing  the  achievement,  and  only  ask  in  the 
midst  of  astounding  events  that  the  heart  of  a  simple  maid 
be  won. 


32  RED  BELTS 

The  dalliance  of  the  young  man's  thoughts  blinded  him, 
and  his  feet  followed  the  rough  path  unguided  by  his  eyes. 
Some  premonition  that  she  was  near  was  what  finally 
awakened  him  from  his  smiling  reverie.  He  halted  and  threw 
back  his  head  with  a  jerk.  Tonpit's  commodious  cabin  stood 
in  from  the  trail,  surrounded  by  clumps  of  cedar  and  bass- 
wood.     Within  ten  feet  of  the  ranger  stood  Elsie. 

Jackson  reddened  with  confusion.  He  knew  he  had  been 
smiling  as  he  came  down  the  trail,  and  the  restrained  merri- 
ment tugging  the  corners  of  her  mouth  proclaimed  her  a  wit- 
ness to  his  deportment.  He  felt  as  sheepish  as  if  she  had 
detected  him  making  faces  at  himself  in  a  mirror. 

"  Elsie,  I've  come  all  the  way  from  the  Ohio  to  win  the 
privilege  of  calling  you  sweetheart,"  he  hurriedly  greeted. 

She  cast  an  apprehensive  glance  toward  the  house. 

"I  like  you,  Kirk.  You  know  how  much,"  she  wistfully 
began.     "My  father  —  " 

"  He  seemed  glad  to  see  me,"  he  completed  as  she  hesitated. 

And  he  gained  her  side  and  took  her  hands  in  his. 

"  He  is  glad  to  see  few  men,"  she  warned.  "  He  loves  me, 
but  to  others  he's  cold." 

"  Politics,"  assured  Jackson.  "  Big  men  always  have 
political  bees  swarming  through  their  heads.  I  wouldn't  give 
a  beaver's  pelt  for  all  the  political  power  they  can  develop  in 
this  whole  country.  I'm  a  free  man,  and  you're  a  free  maid, 
and  your  politician  is  a  slave.     And  you  must  love  me,  dear." 

"  And  I'm  a  free  maid,  and  I  must,"  she  quoted,  drawing 
him  out  of  range  of  the  cabin. 

"  Elsie,  not  another  step  till  I  know,"  he  whispered.  "  I 
asked  myself  every  step  from  the  falls  of  the  Ohio,  but  now, 
you  must  —  please !  " 

"  Then  I  must  if  I  must,"  she  murmured,  dancing  ahead 
toward  a  natural  arbour. 

"  Wait !  "  he  cried.     "  I  bring  a  belt  from  the  Ohio  to  the 


THE  DEAD  AEE  DAXGEEOUS  33 

dearest  little  girl  in  the  world.  It  shows  a  white  road  leading 
to  a  little  cabin,  which  shall  be  the  happiest  home  in  all  the 
col  —  I  mean  the  States.'^ 

She  seated  herself  on  a  log  and  he  kneeled  by  her  side. 
She  remained  silent,  her  eyes  averted  to  hide  her  glorious 
confusion. 

^^  I've  brought  my  talk,"  he  whispered.  "  What  does  the 
wonderful  little  woman  say  to  it?  Does  she  pick  up  the  belt, 
the  white  wampum,  the  one  road  leading  to  the  cabin  ?  '* 

"  I  like  your  talk,'^  she  confessed.  "  Oh,  I  like  it  more 
than  you  can  ever  know.  Kirk.  But  my  father  —  he  won't 
let  me  pick  your  belt  up," 

"  I'm  not  asking  your  father  to  marry  me,"  he  reminded. 

"  Don't  speak  in  that  voice,"  she  whimpered,  wilting  against 
him.  ^^  Kirk,  dear !  I'm  miserable.  Ever  since  coming  over 
the  mountains  I've  sensed  poison  in  the  air." 

He  patted  her  hair  and  waited  for  her  to  continue. 

"  It's  something  I  can't  understand.  It's  something 
that  keeps  my  father  up  all  night,  walking  his  room.  And 
yet,  when  I  go  to  him,  it's  to  always  find  him  strangely 
exalted." 

"  Politics,"  he  belittled.  "  What  has  that  to  do  with  our 
love  ?  " 

She  lifted  her  head  and  revealed  eyes  round  with  fear  and 
warned : 

"  But  it  does !  It  concerns  our  happiness  deeply.  Not 
that  he  has  said  anything.  Xot  that  his  love  for  me  ever 
changes  —  " 

"  Good  Lord !     Love  for  you  —  change  ?  "  he  gasped. 

"  I  say  it  hasn't,  you  silly.  But  after  the  messenger  came 
.and  we  were  riding  home,  he  asked  me  if  I  would  make  a 
sacrifice  for  him.  He  didn't  say  what  but  gave  me  to  under- 
stand it  would  be  only  for  a  short  time.  jSTow  I'll  make  any 
sacrifice  for  my  father,  only  —  " 


34  RED  BELTS 

She  persisted  in  her  silence,  and  he  gravely  prompted  — 

"Go  on,  sweetheart." 

"  Only  I  must  know  it  will  help  him.'^ 

"  Tell  me  what  he  asked  you  to  do  and  let  me  be  the 
judge." 

"  He's  asked  nothing  as  yet.  I  think  he  plans  to  tell  me 
tonight.  He  said  something  about  my  understanding  every- 
thing tonight.  Since  then  he's  been  in  his  room,  whistling 
and  singing.  Never  in  my  life  have  I  heard  him  whistle  or 
sing  before.  And,  do  you  know,  he  has  a  beautiful  voice  — 
and  I  never  knew  it  before." 

"  When  a  man  can  sing  and  whistle,  he  can't  be  planning 
to  ask  much  of  a  sacrifice  of  his  daughter." 

"  Oh,  I'm  not  fearing  what  he  may  ask.  He's  been  a  good 
father  to  me.  I  must  be  perfectly  loyal  to  him  in  my  heart. 
I  only  wish  he  didn't  have  men  come  to  see  him  —  that  is, 
certain  kind  of  men." 

She  gave  him  an  odd  look,  then,  forgetting  the  house  was 
hidden  by  the  trees,  she  gazed  over  his  shoulder.  He  was 
quick  to  detect  the  glint  of  alarm  in  her  eyes  and  asked  — 

"  Who's  with  him  now  ?  " 

"  Nay,  you  must  not  ask  me.  That  would  mean  I  was 
spying  on  him.  Doubtless  I'm  very  silly.  I  shall  know  all 
tonight.  Tomorrow,  if  we  should  meet  alone,  I'll  perhaps  be 
able  to  tell  you." 

"  We  certainly  shall  meet  alone,"  he  promised.  "  But  why 
wait  till  tomorrow?  Why  not  this  afternoon  or  tonight?  I 
sha'n't  sleep  a  wink  if  I  have  to  wait  till  tomorrow.  WTiy 
not  here  ?  " 

"  Oh,  I  couldn't,  Kirk,"  she  protested.  In  the  next  breath 
she  filled  him  with  ecstasy  by  declaring,  "  And  yet  I  will  if 
possible.  Tonight  —  come  when  the  moon  is  clearing  the 
forest,  two  hours  before  midnight.  He  always  goes  to  his 
room  at  that  hour.     I  shall  be  here  on  the  hour  and  will  wait 


THE  DEAD  ARE  DAXGEEOUS  35 

for  you,  but  you  mustn't  wait  for  me.  I  shall  come  promptly 
or  not  at  all." 

'•'  But  if  I  come  and  you're  not  here  — "  he  began  com- 
plaining. 

"  Hush,  silly.  I'll  leave  a  note  on  this  very  log.  Don't 
wait  if  I'm  not  here.  Don't  wait  if  the  note  is  not  here.  It 
will  simply  mean  I  couldn't  leave  the  house  without  disturbing 
him." 

"  Why  couldn't  I  call  at  the  house  ?  " 

"  Oh,  no !  ]N'ot  at  the  house,"  she  hurriedly  cried. 
''  Promise  ?  " 

'"  Very  well.     I'll  come  as  far  as  this  arbour." 

"  Xow,  don't  be  ugly.  Some  time  you  can  come  to  a  house 
and  know  you'll  always  find  me  —  " 

"  You  darling !  "  he  softly  exulted. 

She  lifted  her  head  from  his  shoulder  and  touched  a  finger 
to  his  lips.     A  voice  was  calling  her  name. 

"  It's  father,"  she  warned,  unwarrantably  alarmed  her  lover 
thought. 

He  made  to  walk  a  bit  with  her,  but  she  gently  pushed  him 
back  into  the  arbour.  Then,  giving  him  her  lips,  she  ran  to 
the  house. 

He  should  have  walked  the  skies  as  he  returned  to  the 
settlement,  but  somehow  complete  happiness  was  held  in  abey- 
ance until  he  could  learn  what  it  was  that  Tonpit  was  to  ask 
of  his  daughter.  His  peace  of  mind  could  not  return  until 
he  had  seen  her  again  and  learned  the  truth.  He  had  worried 
none  while  with  her,  for  joy  had  destroyed  perspective  and 
dulled  imagination.  He  had  actually  lived  in  the  present, 
taking  toll  of  each  delicious  minute.  Xow  he  was  recalling 
her  father's  reputation  as  a  man  of  mystery. 

Back  east,  before  his  last  trip  to  the  Shawnee  country,  he 
had  heard  strange  remarks  concerning  John  Tonpit.  Here  in 
Jonesboro  the  talk  was  resumed.     He  could  remember  when 


36  RED  BELTS 

Tonpit  was  counted  a  poor  man,  but  now  he  seemed  to  be 
above  want.  The  sordid  fact  angered  him  by  persisting  in 
invading  his  speculations.  John  Sevier  had  the  right  of  it 
in  sa}dng  Tonpit  was  engaged  in  a  conspiracy  —  no  doubt 
about  that.  But  it  was  left  for  the  girl  herself  to  hint  that 
she  might  be  involved  in  his  wretched  schemes. 

" his  beastly  ambitions !  ^'  growled  Jackson,  turning 

from  the  trail  and  throwing  himself  under  a  clump  of  willows. 

He  lighted  his  pipe  and  smoked  it  empty  before  recovering 
any  of  his  natural  optimism.  After  all,  he  told  himself,  a 
father  could  not  be  unnatural  with  his  only  child.  Tonpit's 
mode  of  address,  even  when  talking  to  Elsie,  was  harsh.  That 
characteristic  induced  one  to  attach  undue  significance  to  his 
simplest  statements.  The  girl  had  permitted  his  solemn  as- 
sertions to  carry  too  much  weight.  She  had  confused  the 
austere  vehicle  of  his  spoken  thoughts  with  the  simple  mean- 
ing of  his  words. 

"  He's  a  queer  one,"  Jackson  admitted  as  he  stowed  his 
pipe  preparatory  to  resuming  his  walk  back  to  the  settlement. 
'^  I  can  imagine  the  poor  child  being  thrown  into  a  panic  by 
his  cold  voice  announcing  it's  going  to  rain  tomorrow." 

He  chuckled  a  bit  at  this  caricature  of  the  maid's  awe,  then 
fell  back  under  the  willows  as  the  long  shadow  of  a  man  fell 
across  the  sunlight  within  a  few  feet  of  him.  Walking  noise- 
lessly, the  stealthy  figure  of  Lon  Hester  swung  by. 

For  a  moment  Jackson  was  tempted  to  accost  him  and 
conclude  the  little  argument  started  in  the  tavern.  But  his 
impulse  vanished  because  of  wonderment  at  the  bully's 
presence  at  this  end  of  the  settlement.  The  tavern  was  his 
proper  habitat.  Again  he  saw  Polcher  whispering  in  the 
bully's  ear  and  saw  the  latter  set  out  afoot  with  the  purposeful 
step  of  one  going  on  an  important  errand.  Linked  up  to  this 
recollection  was  the  girl's  statement  that  her  father  had  a 
visitor  whom  she  was  unwilling  to  name. 


THE  DEAD  AEE  DANGEROUS  37 

"  But  it  couldn't  have  been  the  tavern  brawler/'  muttered 
Jackson,  rising  and  softly  following  Hester.  "  Still,  Polcher 
was  giving  the  lout  some  orders  and  sent  him  somewhere. 
And  Sevier  says  Polcher  is  a  deep  one.  Polcher  showed  he 
was  for  the  Spanish  alliance  after  the  messenger  came.  He 
and  Tonpit  have  the  same  fancy,  it  seems.  But  Tonpit  was 
there  and  heard  as  much  as  Polcher  did.  What  could  happen 
that  needed  a  message  and  a  messenger  ?  Sevier  says  all  mes- 
sages are  brought  to  the  tavern. 

^^  Almost  appears  as  if  the  affair  was  ripe  for  a  sudden  blow 
somewhere,  for  something  decisive  to  happen  —  and  Tonpit 
was  singing  and  whistling.  Good  Lord !  What  with  being 
thrown  off  by  North  Carolina  and  not  yet  accepted  by  the 
Union,  it  certainly  isn't  any  time  for  the  settlers  to  take  on 
fresh  troubles.  Eeckon  I've  been  selfish.  I'll  see  Chucky 
Jack  and  tell  him  what  little  I  know." 

Making  a  detour  so  as  to  escape  the  notice  of  the  tavern 
loungers,  Jackson  approached  the  court-house  from  the  east 
side  of  the  settlement.  The  town  was  ominously  calm.  Small 
groups  of  men  were  quietly  talking,  and  all  carried  their  rifles. 
As  they  talked,  they  looked  much  at  the  court-house,  where 
through  the  windows  Sevier  could  be  seen  pacing  back  and 
forth,  his  hands  clasped  behind  him,  his  head  bowed.  He  was 
one  man  who  carried  the  entire  load  of  the  settlement's 
troubles.  He  was  idiolized  by  the  men,  and  there  was  none 
who  would  think  of  intruding  in  this  his  great  hour  of 
anxiety. 

"  Eeckon,  if  Chucky  Jack  can't  fix  things  up  for  us,  there 
ain't  no  fixing  to  be  done,"  one  man  spoke  up  and  said  to 
Jackson. 

"  He's  a  great  man,"  heartily  retorted  Jackson.  "  I  talked 
with  him  this  morning  for  the  first  time.  My  name  is  Kirk 
Jackson,  just  returned  from  the  Ohio." 

"  My  name's  Stetson.     My  cabin  is  on  t'other  side  of  the 


38  RED  BELTS 

court-house.  Seen  you  with  him  this  morning.  You'll  eat 
with  us  today.     Where's  your  horse  ?  " 

"  Broke  a  leg  a  few  miles  out.  Had  to  shoot  him/'  the 
ranger  sadly  informed. 

"  Shoo !  That's  tough.  I've  got  several.  Help  yourself 
any  time.     Ill  tell  the  woman." 

"  It's  a of  a  Government  that  leaves  us  folks  to  shift 

for  ourselves/'  spoke  up  another  settler,  catching  Jackson's 
eye. 

^^  Seeing  how  you've  always  shifted  for  j^ourselves,  I  reckon, 
you  ain't  worse  off  than  you've  always  been/'  smiled  Jackson. 
*^  And  I  reckon  Jack  Sevier's  enough  help  for  one  settlement 
to  have.     The  Indians  are  awfully  scared  of  him." 

"  That's  'cause  they  know  he  won't  wait  to  fight  behind 
logs/'  Stetson  broke  in  eagerly  and  with  great  pride.  "  They 
know  that  every  time  they  make  a  raid  he'll  lead  us  straight 

into  their  country  for  a  hundred  miles  or  so  and  rip out 

of  their  villages.  Nothing  takes  the  fighting  guts  out  of  a 
Injun  so  much  as  to  hear  —  while  burning  a  few  cabins  — 
that  Chucky  Jack  is  back  in  their  towns  burning  up  all  their 
corn.     He's  thinking  up  things  now." 

Jackson  had  halted  his  advance  on  the  court-house  because 
of  the  respectful  aloofness  of  the  settlers.  But  now  came  one 
who  ignored  the  black  frowns,  an  Indian.  He  was  a  Cherokee, 
and  his  path  was  to  the  court-house. 

Suddenly  a  woman's  shrill  voice  called  from  a  cabin: 

"  The  murderin'  spy !  He's  come  to  see  how  we  took  the 
bad  news ! " 

"  There's  more  of  his  kidney  back  in  the  woods !  "  shouted  a 
man. 

The  Indian  continued  his  advance.  The  various  groups  of 
men  thinned  out  and  formed  a  half -circle  behind  him  so  as  to 
block  his  threat.  The  Indian  halted  and,  still  gazing  at  the 
court-house,  threw  back  his  head  and  sounded  the  wolf-howl, 


THE  DEAD  ARE  DANGEROUS  39 

wa-ya.  With  muttered  imprecations  a  score  of  rifles  were 
brought  to  bear  on  him,  while  several  men  ran  back  to  the 
forest  to  scout  for  a  hidden  foe.  But  the  signal  was  intended 
only  for  Sevier,  who  now  appeared  at  the  window.  A  glance 
took  in  the  situation,  the  erect  form  of  the  red  man  and  the 
half-circle  of  menacing  rifles.  Leaning  from  the  window, 
Sevier  shouted : 

"  Put  down  those  guns !  I'll  answer  for  the  Cherokee ! '' 
Then  to  the  savage,  "  The  Tall  Runner  is  welcome." 

Without  a  glance  behind  him,  the  Indian  made  for  the 
door.     Sevier  sighted  Jackson  and  beckoned  for  him  to  enter. 

Sevier  was  alone  in  the  long  room.  He  motioned  for 
Jackson  to  remain  in  the  background  and,  addressing  the 
Indian,  said : 

"  Tall  Runner,  of  the  Aniwaya  people,  is  welcome.  What 
talk  does  the  warrior  of  the  Wolf  clan  bring  to  me  ?  " 

The  man  of  the  Wolf,  the  most  powerful  clan  of  the 
Cherokee  IN'ation,  permitted  his  gaze  to  kindle  with  admiration 
as  he  looked  on  Sevier.     After  a  brief  silence  he  began : 

"  I  bring  a  talk  from  Old  Tassel.  He  tells  me  to  say  to 
Tsan-usdi  (Little  John)  that  he  is  an  old  man.  He  says  he 
is  standing  on  slippery  ground.  He  says  his  elder  brother's 
people  are  building  houses  in  sight  of  Cherokee  towns  and 
that  his  vouno^  warriors  crrow  nervous.  He  savs  the  white 
people  living  south  of  the  French  Broad  have  no  right  there, 
and  he  asks  his  elder  brother  to  take  them  away." 

Sevier  waited  for  a  minute,  then  replied : 

"  This  is  the  talk  I  send  back  to  Old  Tassel.  I  will  meet 
the  Cherokee  chiefs  in  a  grand  council  and  fix  a  place  beyond 
which  no  settler  shall  go  south  of  the  French  Broad  and  the 
Holston.  Tell  Old  Tassel  that,  if  he  stands  on  slippery 
ground,  it  is  because  the  Indians  have  wet  the  ground  with 
the  blood  of  white  people,  killed  while  travelling  the  Ken- 
tucky  road  and  while  hoeing  their  fields  along  the  Watauga. 


40  EED  BELTS 

*^As  for  the  settlers  who  have  made  homes  south  of  the 
French  Broad,  they  can  not  now  be  removed,  but,  if  the  chiefs 
of  the  Nation  will  come  to  a  council,  we  will  agree  they  shall 
go  no  farther.  The  Cherokees  know  Tsan-usdi  wants  peace. 
But  there  can  be  no  lasting  peace  so  long  as  the  Cherokee 
Nation  listens  to  the  evil  whisperings  of  the  Creeks  and  loads 
its  guns  with  Spanish  powder.  Tell  Old  Tassel  it  was  North 
Carolina  that  sent  the  settlers  south  of  the  French  Broad,  not 
Little  John.'' 

The  Indian  remained  silent  for  several  minutes,  then  with  a 
cunning  gleam  in  his  eyes  continued : 

''  I  will  carry  j^our  talk  to  Old  Tassel.  Who  sends  the  talk  ? 
Tsan-usdi  or  North  Carolina?  Or  does  Tsan-usdi  speak  for 
North  Carolina?" 

Sevier's  gaze  hardened.  He  knew  Old  Tassel  had  learned 
of  North  Carolina's  act  of  cession.  This  would  imply  advance 
knowledge  on  the  part  of  the  chief.  The  messenger  was  sent 
with  a  colourless  talk,  his  real  errand  being  to  learn  how  the 
settlers  were  reacting  to  the  Cessions  Act. 

In  a  voice  of  thunder  he  warned : 

"Brother  of  the  Wolf,  I  am  going  to  speak  to  you.  Be 
wise  and  remember  my  words.  Tell  Old  Tassel  the  talk  comes 
from  Little  John  and  his  three  thousand  riflemen.  Tell  him 
to  forget  that  the  settlements  are  no  longer  a  part  of  North 
Carolina.  Tell  him  he  is  to  remember  that  the  settlers  never 
have  had  help  from  North  Carolina  and  have  always  depended 
upon  their  own  guns.  Tell  him  our  rifles  shoot  as  straight 
and  that  our  horses  run  as  swiftly  as  they  did  a  few  moons 
ago.  I  will  send  for  Old  Tassel  when  I  have  my  council  talk 
ready." 

Tall  Runner  was  somewhat  abashed  but  did  not  offer  to 
depart.  He  remained  silent  and  motionless,  staring  furtively 
at  the  one  white  man  the  Cherokee  Nation  feared  above  all 
other  men.     For  three  centuries  the  Cherokees  had  made  wars 


THE  DEAD  AEE  DAXGEEOUS  41 

and  treaties  with  the  English,  the  Spanish,  the  French,  the 
Americans,  with  Creeks,  Catawbas,  Shawnees  and  Iroquois, 
but  in  all  their  campaigns  they  had  never  shown  so  much 
respect,  or  fear,  for  any  one  individual  as  they  had  for  John 
Sevier. 

Sevier  knew  Tall  Eunner  had  something  on  his  mind,  some- 
thing he  had  not  intended  to  speak  but  was  now  tempted  to 
divulge.     Sternly,  yet  not  unkindly,  Sevier  prompted : 

"  My  brother  of  the  Wolf  has  seen  something  on  his  way 
here,  or  has  heard  something.  He  thought  at  first  to  bury  it 
deep  in  his  head.  Xow  his  medicine  commands  him  to  tell  it. 
The  ears  of  Tsan-usdi  are  open;  his  heart  is  open.  Does  the 
Tall  Eunner  speak?  ^' 

The  Indian  stood  with  eyes  cast  down  as  if  irresolute; 
finally  he  lifted  his  head,  succumbing  to  the  personal  mag- 
netism of  Sevier,  a  subtle  influence  that  never  failed  to  work 
on  both  friend  and  foe,  and  said: 

"  It  is  not  in  the  talk  I  brought  from  our  peace  town  of 
Echota.  It  is  something  I  saw  on  the  Great  War-Path  very 
near  here.     A  dead  man  of  the  Ani-Kusa." 

Sevier's  hands  gripped  the  edge  of  the  table. 

"  A  warrior  from  the  upper  Creek  towns,"  he  repeated. 

"  He  was  a  messenger,''  was  the  laconic  correction. 

The  borderer  fully  appreciated  the  grave  results  sure  to 
follow  the  slaying  of  a  messenger  from  McGillivray,  Emperor 
of  the  Creek  Nation.  One  faint  hope  remained,  that  the 
Creek  had  fallen  by  the  hand  of  a  Cherokee. 

As  if  reading  his  thoughts.  Tall  Eunner  significantly 
added : 

"  The  dead  warrior  was  not  scalped.  He  was  shot  by  a 
white  man  hiding  in  ambush.  I  found  where  the  white  man 
kneeled  and  waited.  I  followed  his  trail  back  to  the  settle- 
ment. I  found  where  his  trail  left  the  settlement  and  made 
for  the  woods." 


43  BED  BELTS 

There  was  no  doubt  in  the  minds  of  either  Sevier  or  Jack- 
son as  to  the  identity  of  the  assassin.  Major  Hubbard,  his 
heart  rankling  with  fanatical  hatred  for  all  red  men,  had  left 
the  village  for  the  forest,  taking  the  direction  the  Cherokee 
would  cover  on  returning  home. 

"  When  was  the  Creek  killed  ?  '^  quietly  asked  Sevier. 

"  The  blood  had  dried.'' 

"  Five  hours  ago,"  muttered  Sevier.  Then  aloud^  "  How 
do  you  know  the  Creek  brought  a  message  for  me  ?  " 

"  Who  else  would  he  bring  a  talk  to  ?  "  shrewdly  countered 
Tall  Eunner.  *^  He  carried  no  arms.  He  was  a  messenger. 
His  moccasins  were  worn  through  because  of  haste.  He  had 
not  stopped  at  any  of  our  villages  to  get  new  moccasins.  His 
talk  was  for  the  white  men.     Little  John  is  their  chief." 

"  And  by  this  time  the  news  of  his  death  is  spreading," 
Sevier  gloomily  mused. 

"  I  threw  boughs  on  the  body.  It  may  not  be  seen  if 
Tsan-usdi  goes  and  covers  it  with  earth.  If  others  find  it,  the 
word  will  travel  as  far  as  a  red  ax  or  a  war-belt  can  travel." 
Which  was  equivalent  to  saying  that  McGillivray  would  surely 
learn  of  the  killing  and  seize  upon  it  as  pretext  for  declaring 
war  upon  the  settlements. 

Sevier  walked  to  the  window  and  back.  When  he  halted 
before  the  Cherokee,  his  countenance  was  placid,  and  his  voice 
was  gentle  as  he  directed : 

"  Go  to  Old  Tassel  and  tell  him  my  talk.  That  I  will  meet 
him  and  his  head  men  and  give  them  a  talk ;  that  I  wish  only 
for  peace  and  will  hold  back  the  whites  from  going  farther  on 
Cherokee  lands  unless  an  Indian  war  makes  me  use  all  my 
riflemen  in  defending  our  cabins." 


CHAPTEE  III 

THE  PRICE   OF  A   JUG   OF  WHISKY 

FENDIXG  himself  overlooked,  Jackson  reminded : 
"  I'm  still  here.     If  I'm  in  the  way,  I'll  get  out. 
Of  course  I  couldn't  help  hearing  your  talk  with  the 
Cherokee." 

"  Don't  go,"  Sevier  replied.  "  I'm  worried  about  the  dead 
Creek.  Tall  Runner  says  he  was  an  Ani-Kusa,  from  the  upper 
towns.  He  brought  a  message  from  McGillivray.  There  was 
no  writing  on  his  body,  or  Tall  Runner  would  have  found  it 
and  brought  it  here.     That  makes  two  mysteries." 

"  I  don't  understand,"  Jackson  confessed.  "  Two  mys- 
teries ?  " 

"  Who  was  to  receive  McGillivray's  message  ?  Who  did 
receive  the  message  ?  " 

"  Isn't  it  possible  McGillivray  is  trying  to  treat  with  you ; 
that  some  of  the  tavern  crowd  found  it  out  and  stole  the 
message  and  killed  the  Indian  ?  "  Jackson  put  the  query  with 
much  animation,  the  theory  growing  on  him  even  as  he  spoke. 

"  N"o.  McGillivray  has  spies  at  the  State  capital.  He 
knew  ahead  what  the  Legislature  intended  doing  before  the 
Cessions  Act  was  passed.  He  knows  he  couldn't  swing  me 
into  line  with  Spain.  Believing  that  the  Watauga  settlements 
are  disowned  and  helpless,  it's  the  tavern  crowd  he'd  dicker 
with." 

"  If  Hubbard  killed  him,  why  didn't  he  get  the  message  ?  " 

"  I  haven't  any  doubt  as  to  Hubbard's  killing  him.  He 
went  in  that  direction  in  time  to  meet  the  Creek.  He  left 
us  with  blood  in  his  thoughts,  cursing  all  Indians  and  believing 
the  Chickamaugas  are  taking  the  warpath.     He  saw  the  Creek 

43 


44  RED  BELTS 

and  shot  him.  He  never  bothered  to  approach  the  body,  much 
less  to  examine  it.  Either  the  Creek  had  delivered  the  mes- 
sage or  it  was  found  on  his  body  by  some  white  man  before 
Tall  Eunner  came  along." 

"  I  saw  Hester  leave  the  tavern  and  go  down  the  trail  in 
that  direction  right  after  the  messenger  brought  the  news  of 
the  Cessions  Act/'  Jackson  informed,  his  sense  of  duty  over- 
riding his  disinclination  to  say  anything  that  might  compro- 
mise Tonpit. 

^'  Ah !  Hester  never  quits  the  tavern  unless  it's  on  im- 
portant business.  But  none  of  that  gang  would  kill  a  mes- 
senger sent  them  by  McGillivray.  It's  through  him  that 
Spanish  gold  comes  to  them.  Do  you  know  where  Hester 
went  ?  " 

Jackson  was  deeply  embarrassed  and  felt  himself  slipping 
into  deep  water. 

*^I  don't  know,  but  I  believe  he  visited  John  Tonpit.  He 
was  afoot  and  didn't  plan  to  go  far.  A  short  time  afterward 
I  saw  him  coming  up  the  trail.  I  didn't  see  him  go  to  or 
come  from  Tonpit's  house." 

^^  My  boy,  why  not  tell  it  all  ?  "  gravely  encouraged  Sevier. 

Jackson  made  his  decision  under  the  compelling  gaze  of  the 
steady  blue  eyes  and  briefly  related  his  meeting  Miss  Elsie  and 
his  knowledge  that  her  father  was  closeted  with  a  visitor. 

"  That  would  explain  much !  "  rapped  out  Sevier.  ''  Mc- 
Gillivray sent  a  written  message  to  Major  Tonpit.  The  bearer 
managed  to  get  it  to  the  tavern.  Polcher  forwarded  it  to 
Tonpit  by  Hester.  If  the  Creek  had  taken  it  direct  to  the 
major,  he  probably  would  now  be  alive.  But  the  system  is  to 
send  all  messages  to  the  tavern,  where  they  are  relayed  without 
exciting  suspicion.  That  Polcher  is  a  deep  one.  He's  a 
natural  conspirator.  He  loves  underhanded  methods.  He 
must  be  an  able  man  to  hide  his  real  self  in  the  role  of  a 
tavern-keeper. 


THE  PEICE  OF  A  JUG  OF  WHISKY  45 

"Tonpit  couldn't  do  that.  He's  insanely  ambitious.  He 
must  always  have  a  dignified  part  to  play.  Useful  at  a  certain 
point  when  his  dignity  fits  in,  such  as  influencing  some  of  our 
settlers  to  follow  his  lead,  but  incapable  of  continual  plotting. 
He's  just  a  fool  figurehead.  Yes,  I'm  convinced  Polcher  is 
the  more  dangerous  man  of  the  two." 

Jackson  hesitated  and  twisted  nervously.  His  sympathies 
were  entirely  with  the  settlement.  Although  he  had  known 
Sevier  for  a  few  hours  only,  he  was  eager  to  serve  him. 
Finally  he  blurted  out : 

"  I  expect  to  see  Miss  Elsie  tonight.  Naturally  I  don't  care 
to  set  her  father  against  me,  but,  if  I  learn  anything  that's 
all  right  for  me  to  repeat,  I'll  tell  you." 

Leaning  forward,  Sevier  swept  his  flaming  gaze  up  and 
down  the  ranger's  trim  form  in  mingled  anger  and  scorn. 

"  Young  man,"  he  softly  said,  "  you're  either  an  American 
or  just  a  two-legged  critter.  Can't  you  see  the  time  has  come 
when  it  must  be  decided  once  for  all  whether  an  English  or  a 
Spanish-speaking  race  is  to  rule  this  country  ?  What  are  your 
personal  affairs  compared  with  the  destiny  of  a  world?  As 
an  American  you'll  do  nothing  dishonourable.  I  don't  expect 
you  to  wheedle  secrets  from  Elsie,  whom  I've  known  and 
loved  dearly  and  who  is  as  good  an  American  as  I  am.  But 
there's  no  reason  why  you  shouldn't  go  to  John  Tonpit  and 
put  the  question  to  him  frankly :  did  he  or  did  he  not  confer 
with  Lon  Hester  this  morning  ?  " 

"  That  means  I  lose  the  girl,"  Jackson  sadly  reminded. 

"  Not  if  she  is  the  girl  I've  always  believed  her  to  be.  I 
tell  you  she's  an  American  girl.  She  may  not  call  it  that, 
but  she  is.  She  would  despise  you  if  you  dodged  your  duty 
to  secure  her  love.  Eemember,  you'll  get  nothing  worth  while 
in  this  life  except  what  you  pay  for  by  work  and  suffering. 
God  knows  we  who  have  won  the  Watauga  and  the  Kentucky 
lands  have  paid  the  full  price.     Tell  the  girl  frankly  you 


46  BED  BELTS 

must  know  more  about  her  father's  doings  from  the  lips  of 
her  father." 

"  He'd  simply  rage  and  probably  threaten  to  shoot  me." 

"  I  need  scarcely  remind  you  that  threats  won't  scare  a 
man  who's  just  from  the  Shawnee  country/'  said  Sevier  with 
a  smile. 

" it!     I'll  lose  my  chances  of  seeing  the  girl  without 

learning  anything  that  would  help  you." 

"  Tonpit  will  rage  and  bluster,  and  he'll  threaten  and  forbid 
your  seeing  Elsie.  But  he  won't  lie  about  Hester;  there's 
where  he  is  weak  as  a  plotter.  If  he  saw  him,  he'll  fume  and 
demand  what  business  it  is  of  yours.  Then  tell  him  you  pro- 
pose to  marry  his  daughter.  She's  of  age.  If  she  loves  you 
and  is  worth  the  winning,  you'll  lose  nothing.  The  other 
way  —  trying  to  remain  neutral  —  leads  to  dishonour  and  the 
girl's  contempt.     When  do  you  see  her  ?  " 

'^  Tonight  —  about  ten  o'clock." 

*^I  will  be  here  waiting  for  you.  I  understand  your  feel- 
ings. It's  natural  you  should  feel  a  bit  selfish.  Love-making 
wouldn't  be  worth  the  experience  if  lovers  weren't  selfish. 
But  Miss  Elsie  would  scorn  a  man  who  slighted  his  duty. 
Our  country  comes  first.  If  I  can  find  out  what  Tonpit  in- 
tends to  do,  if  only  a  hint  of  his  next  move,  I  can  make  a  close 
guess  about  what  McGillivray  wrote  him.  I  know  the  Creek 
Nation  has  been  ready  to  strike  for  months  and  has  been  held 
back  until  the  Cherokees  could  be  won  over.  Now  that  we're 
ceded  to  the  Union  and  believed  to  be  unprotected,  the  Chero- 
kees favour  the  Creek  alliance. 

"  Old  Tassel  is  cunning  beyond  the  average.  He  wants 
peace,  but  he'll  fight  to  get  back  the  French  Broad  lands. 
Tall  Runner's  talk  was  merely  to  show  me  that  the  Cherokees 
know  our  condition,  a  strong  hint  for  us  to  vacate  the  French 
Broad  lands.  If  we'd  withdraw  from  the  Broad  and  the 
Holston,  Old  Tassel  would  strongly  oppose  any  alliance  with 


THE  PEICE  OF  A  JUG  OF  WHISKY  47 

the  Creeks.  As  it  now  stands,  we're  facing  the  power  of 
Spain,  the  enmity  of  the  Creeks  and  a  ver}^  prohable  alliance 
between  the  Creeks  and  the  Cherokees,  with  the  Seminoles 
thrown  in  for  good  measure.  By  heavens!  It's  high  time 
we  all  began  to  be  good  Americans !  " 

"  God  knows  I'm  an  American  I  "  cried  Jackson,  catching 
the  other's  fervour.  "  I  was  training  to  be  one  when  I  first 
risked  my  hair  among  the  Shawnees  and  ^Yyandots.  Yes, 
Sevier,  Fll  give  my  all  to  block  Spain." 

"  Good  boy !  "  cried  Sevier,  and  their  hands  met  with  a 
smack.     "  Kow  we'll  go  and  eat.^ 

"  Stetson  asked  me  to  come  there.  He's  offered  to  let  me 
have  a  horse." 

"  Stetson  is  of  the  salt  of  the  earth,  and  Mrs.  Stetson  has  a 
knack  of  frying  chicken  that  even  makes  my  Kate  jealous." 

The  Virginian  had  no  set  purpose  as,  after  the  midday 
meal,  he  wandered  to  the  outskirts  of  the  settlement.  He 
wished  to  be  alone  with  his  jumble  of  new  thoughts.  He 
had  meant  every  word  of  his  earnest  declaration  to  Sevier, 
but  there  still  lingered  in  the  back  of  his  mind  the  question, 
how  much  of  his  solemn  statements  had  smacked  of  the 
rhetorical,  and  how  much  was  based  on  genuine,  lofty  senti- 
ments? Sevier  was  sure  to  set  a  listener's  pulses  to  dancing. 
He  developed  the  full  strength  of  a  man's  honesty.  He  had 
played  Jackson  up  to  himself  as  being  a  hundred  per  cent, 
patriot. 

Xow,  alone  and  with  leisure  to  think  it  all  over,  Jackson 
feared  he  might  be  only  ninety-eight  per  cent,  patriot  and  two 
per  cent,  selfish  lover.  Yet  he  considered  himself  a  good 
American.  Hadn't  he  fought  for  the  colonies?  Xow  that 
only  white  wampum  hung  between  America  and  the  mother- 
country,  hadn't  he  earned  the  right  to  order  his  life  along  the 
lines  of  love,  to  cater  to  the  two  per  cent,  of  his  make-up  and 
create  a  home  in  the  land  he  had  helped  to  secure  for  Anglo- 


48  EED  BELTS 

Saxons?  Even  Sevier  had  said  love  was  legitimately  selfish 
to  a  certain  degree.     But  who  was  to  determine  the  degree  ? 

Chucky  Jack  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years  had  married  his 
Bonnie  Kate.  He  had  had  his  love  and  could  better  afford  to 
give  more  of  his  time  and  strength  to  building  up  the  new 
republic  than  a  man  who  had  fought  for  years  with  no  oppor- 
tunity for  wooing  a  maid.  And  were  not  there  many  others, 
as  fortunate  as  Chucky  Jack,  who  could  carry  on  the  work? 

"  Wrong,  wrong !  All  wrong !  "  groaned  Jackson  as  he  en- 
tered a  little  glade  and  threw  himself  on  the  ground.  "  Jack 
Sevier  would  never  have  been  turned  aside  from  his  good 
work.  Married  or  single,  successfully  wooing  or  rejected, 
nothing  could  come  between  him  and  what  he  believed  to  be 
his  duty.  He  has  vision.  He  sees  things  far  ahead.  He 
looks  down  the  years.  He's  willing  to  sacrifice  everything  for 
results  that  can't  be  recognized  until  long  after  he's  dead. 

^' !     Why  quibble  with  myself?     He's  a  bigger  man 

than  I  can  ever  be.  Even  now  it  isn't  my  Americanism  that 
stirs  me  so  much  as  it  is  love  for  Elsie.  Lord,  if  only  loving 
Elsie  constituted  Americanism,  I'd  be  the  first  patriot  in  all 
the  land.  Yet  one  can  imitate  Sevier.  Maybe  the  unselfish- 
ness will  come  later." 

Possibly  Jackson  underrated  his  nationalism.  Certainly  he 
had  done  all  that  a  man  could  during  the  years  of  incessant 
warfare.  Undoubtedly  he  averaged  high  above  the  status  of 
many  citizens.  A  proof  of  this  was  his  humble  realization 
that  Washington  and  others  who  carried  the  torch  of  freedom 
were  far  above  him  in  spiritual  ideals.  They  were  exalted  to 
the  stars,  while  he  groped  along  the  ground.  But,  so  long  as 
he  knew  this,  there  was  every  hope  for  his  climbing  high 
among  the  peaks  of  democracy. 

Of  course  the  country  was  in  rather  a  chaotic  state,  not- 
withstanding the  mighty  labours  of  the  giants.  Congress  was 
powerless  to  function  in  important  matters  unless  nine  States 


THE  PRICE  OF  A  JUG  OF  WHISKY  49 

gave  consent.  Sovereignty  was  claimed  by  every  State. 
While  this  condition  existed,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  that  a 
simple  ranger  should  find  it  difficult  to  comprehend  the  exact 
essence  of  Americanism.  The  Articles  of  Confederation 
could  not  be  changed  without  the  consent  of  every  State.  In 
short.  Congress  could  recommend  but  not  enforce.  It  could 
borrow  money  but  had  no  authority  to  pay  it  back. 

It  could  coin  money  but  had  no  authority  to  purchase 
bullion.  It  could  make  war  and  could  not  raise  a  soldier. 
With  the  States  thus  jealously  retaining  the  power  of  initia- 
tive, it  was  logical  that  a  man  should  identify  himself  by  pro- 
claiming his  State  citizenship.  To  merely  say  "  I  am  an 
American  "  was  to  speak  anonymously. 

But  as  Jackson  mulled  it  over  with  chastened  mind  the 
obscure  places  in  his  soul  caught  vagrant  rays  of  light,  and 
he  marvelled  at  the  birth  of  new  comprehensions.  At  first 
they  were  nebulous  and  vague  in  details.  As  he  concentrated, 
they  took  on  substance  until  his  soul-gaze  swept  over  a  mighty 
panorama,  as  if  a  stupendous  flash  of  divine  fire  were  lighting 
tlie  future  and  revealing  what  might  be  if  the  dreams  of  the 
dreamers  came  true. 

"  Just  one  State !  ^'  he  whispered,  closing  his  eyes  to  retain 
the  picture.  "  By  heavens,  that's  it !  Washington  has  seen 
it !     Sevier  sees  it !     No,  no !     It  can't  be  all  that !  " 

This  last,  as  the  picture  persisted  in  widening,  sweeping 
over  unknown  rivers,  leaping  towering  mountain  ranges  not 
yet  seen  by  white  men,  and  promised  to  include  all  between 
the  rising  and  setting  suns. 

"  A  man  would  get  drunk  thinking  on  it,"  he  muttered, 
rubbing  his  eyes  as  if  wakening  from  deep  sleep. 

"  Been  takin'  a  snooze  ?  "  greeted  a  voice. 

Jackson  glanced  up  and  beheld  Old  Thatch,  owlishly  con- 
templating him  and  weaving  slightly  from  side  to  side  in  a 
manner  that  was  reminiscent  of  tavern  whisky. 


50  EED  BELTS 

Jackson  sat  up  and  scowled  blackly  at  the  old  man. 

"  You're  the  fellow  who  objected  to  my  kicking  that  cur 
this  morning.  Clear  out  before  I  forget  you're  a  drunken  old 
fool." 

Thatch  smiled  forgivingly  and  chuckled  softly.  His  bleared 
eyes  were  thoroughly  amiable  as  he  dropped  to  the  ground 
and  grunted  in  comfort  at  feeling  himself  securely  anchored. 

"  Lawd,  but  ye  did  sure  give  Lon  his  needin's,"  he  mumbled. 
"  Eeckon  Polcher  now  wishes  ye'd  finished  the  job.  Such 
doin's !     Such  doin's !  " 

Laying  aside  his  animosity,  Jackson  surveyed  him  curiously. 

"  But  Polcher  and  Hester  are  great  friends,"  he  protested. 

"  Mebbe  yas,  mebbe  no.  He !  He ! "  snickered  Thatch, 
wagging  his  white  head  knowingly.  "  Ye  see,  ye  don't  know 
what  I  know."     And  he  rumbled  with  laughter. 

"  Oh,  I  reckon  I  know  all  you  know,"  taunted  Jackson. 

"  No,  siree ! "  hotly  denied  Thatch.  "  Ye  couldn't. 
'Cause  why?  'Cause  I  w^as  the  only  one  in  the  tap-room 
when  they  rowed  it.  I  was  sleepin'  in  the  corner  when  their 
jawin'  woke  me  up.  Lawdy,  but  there  ain't  nothin'  but 
bloody  belts  atween  them  two !  " 

*^  Oh,  they're  always  quarrelling,"  said  Jackson  with  a  fine 
show  of  indifference.  '^  What  else  can  one  expect  from  a 
drunken  bully  and  a  low-down  tavern-keeper." 

"  Sonny,  ye  spoke  the  truth  in  a  fashion.  That  Polcher 
treated  me  like  dirt,  yes,  siree !  Like  common  dirt !  An'  all 
I  asked  for  was  a  gallon.  Yes,  siree !  Ye've  hit  the  bull's-eye 
in  the  centre.  He  is  low-down.  I'm  Marvland  stock.  He 
ain't  nothin'  but  a  onery  North  Car'lina  sand-hiller  of  a 
quarter-breed.  He  didn't  even  dast  to  cross  the  mountings 
till  better  men  had  gone  ahead  an'  made  a  clearin'." 

Then  with  ludicrous  solemnit}^ : 

"  But  ye're  wrong  'bout  their  always  jawin'.  They  never 
struck  fire  till  today.     They  had  a  clash  this  mornin'  afore  ye 


THE  PRICE  OF  A  JUG  OF  WHISKY  51 

come^  Polcher  'lowin'  that  Lon  was  too  free-spoken,  but  it 
wa'n't  much.  But  what  I  seen  just  now  had  murder  writ 
all  over  it.  The}'  was  in  Polcher's  little  room,  an'  the  coloured 
boy  was  asleep  ahind  the  bar.  Lawdy,  but  I  could  tell  things 
if  I  wanted  to ! "  And  the  old  reprobate  hugged  his  knees 
and  enjoyed  his  own  confidences. 

"  Bah !  Hester  is  always  trying  to  stir  up  a  fight  only  to 
find  he  hasn't  enough  guts  to  go  through  with  it/'  sneered 
Jackson,  yawnino^  elaborately  and  makino^  to  rise. 

"  Don't  go  I  "  begged  Thatch.  "  I'm  hankerin'  for  comp'ny. 
It  wa'n't  Hester  what  started  the  trouble  this  time.  It  was 
Polcher.  I  was  asleep  at  the  first  of  it,  but  I  reckon'  I  didn't 
miss  much.  An'  ye  can  lay  to  it,  it  was  somethin'  of  a  eye- 
opener  to  me !  Xeyer'n  my  life  seen  Polcher  like  that  afore. 
Nothin'  of  the  tavern-keeper  'bout  him.  Xo,  siree !  When 
they  come  through  the  door  of  his  room,  he  was  jest  out'n-out 
ugly.  He  was  askin'  Hester  to  tell  what  come  of  some  job 
he'd  sent  him  out  on,  an'  Hester  opined  the  major  wouldn't 
thank  him  for  peddlin'  his  'fairs  round  tap-rooms. 

"  Wliewee  !  Jest  a  streak  of  lightnin',  an'  Polcher  had  him 
by  the  throat  an'  a  knife  at  his  weazen !  He  !  He  !  Lonny 
knows  now  how  I  felt  when  he  was  chuckin'  me  this  mornin'. 
Ye  never  see  a  cock-o'-the-walk  eat  dirt  an'  crawl  like  he  did. 
Polcher  made  him  say  he  was  jest  a  yaller  dawg.  Made  him 
swear  he'd  know  his  master  another  time.  Then  he  took  off 
his  hat  an'  slapped  his  face  with  it  till  the  feather  got  busted. 
An',  although  Lon's  throat  was  free  of  Polcher's  hand  when 
his  face  was  bein'  slapped,  he  stood  mighty  still  an'  lam'-like 
an'  took  it." 

"  And  Hester  told  what  he  was  asked  ?  Tut,  tut !  I  don't 
believe  it,"  scoffed  Jackson. 

"  Sonny,  I'm  older  then  them  mountings,  but  I  ain't  no 
liar.  ]Sro,  siree !  They  don't  breed  no  liars  in  ol'  Maryland. 
I  was  wide  awake  an'  seen  it  an'  heard  it  jest  as  I've  told. 


52  EED  BELTS 

Lon  knuckled  under  an'  said  he'd  took  the  word  to  the  major." 

"  Erhuh  ?     What  next  ?  " 

"  Wal,  that  was  the  p'int  that  Polcher  seen  me  in  the  comer 
an'  quit  Lon  to  drag  me  to  the  middle  of  the  floor,  an'  it  was 
the  time  I  'lowed  it  was  best  for  me  to  a<;t  sleepy.  Lon  went 
back  with  him  to  the  small  room,  an'  it  was  when  they  come 
out  that  I  asked  for  a  gallon,  promisin'  to  pay,  an'  that 
Polcher  treated  me  so  p'izen  mean." 

A  piercing  whistle  penetrated  the  glade  with  the  incisive- 
ness  of  a  war-arrow.  Jackson  swung  about  to  locate  the 
source.  The  effect  on  Thatch  was  quite  remarkable.  For 
one  thing  the  whistle  seemed  to  drive  the  whisky  fumes  from 
his  brain  and  leave  him  sobered  and  horribly  frightened. 
Scarcely  able  to  speak,  he  dragged  himself  to  Jackson  and 
huskily  whispered : 

"  Go,  go !  Keep  shet  on  what  I've  said.  It's  Polcher's 
whistle.  He's  lookin'  for  me.  If  he  sees  me  with  ye,  he'll 
opine  I've  been  blabbin'.  He'll  cut  my  throat,  jest  as  sure  as 
he  promised  to  cut  Hester's.     Oh,  Gawd !     He's  comin' !  " 

Jackson  took  him  by  the  shoulder  and  shook  him  violently 
and  murmured: 

"  Stop  it,  you  fool.  Pretend  to  be  asleep.  Polcher  won't 
see  me."     And,  picking  up  his  rifle,  he  glided  into  the  bushes. 

The  whistle  sounded  again,  shrilling  on  the  ear  most  un- 
pleasantly. Jackson  manoeuvred  with  the  stealth  he  had 
acquired  in  stalking  the  Shawnees  and  soon  located  the 
tavern-keeper.  From  behind  a  tree  he  saw  Polcher,  still 
wearing  his  soiled  apron,  slowly  advancing  toward  him, 
his  eyes  shifting  from  side  to  side  and  with  nothing  of  a 
landlord's  urbanity  showing  in  his  face.  Jackson  remained 
motionless,  determined  if  discovered  to  see  that  Polcher  did 
not  find  the  old  man.  Polcher  advanced  several  feet,  then 
pursed  his  lips  and  repeated  his  signal.  Thatch's  voice 
querulously  called  out : 


THE  PKICE  OF  A  JUG  OF  WHISKY  53 

"  Whaf n  sin  ye  want  now  ?  Can't  a  man  git  a  little 
sleep  ?  " 

Turning  aside,  Polcher  strode  through  the  undergrowth 
and  into  the  glade.  Jackson  slipped  along  after  him  until  he 
saw  him  stop  and  stand  before  Thatch. 

"  What  are  you  doing  here  ?  "  gently  asked  Polcher,  study- 
ing the  old  man  keenly. 

"Tryin'  to  forgit  ye  wouldn't  let  me  have  a  leetle  rye," 
sullenly  answered  Thatch. 

"  The  stranger,  the  one  called  Jackson,  walked  this  way. 
Have  you  seen  him  ?  '^ 

Old  Thatch  stupidly  blinked  his  eyes  and  shook  his  head. 

"  Ain't  seen  hide  nor  hair  of  him.     Want  me  to  find  him?  " 

^'  iSTo.  Tell  me  what  you  thought  of  Hester's  talk  back  in 
the  tavern."  This  was  put  in  an  ingratiating  voice,  but 
Jackson  noted  the  hand  under  the  apron  was  clasping  the 
hilt  of  a  knife,  and  he  insured  Thatch  against  an  unpolitic 
answer  by  drawing  a  bead  on  the  boniface. 

But  Thatch,  sober,  possessed  an  animal's  instinct  and 
smelled  the  trap. 

''  That  Lon  Hester's  a  derned  fool.  Wish  some  one  would 
comb  him,"  he  growled.  "  See  how  he  choked  me  this 
mornin'  ?  By  Gawdf rey !  Take  it  a  few  years  back  an'  he 
wouldn't  be  wearin'  no  rooster's  feathers  round  this  yere 
settlement.  Almost  wish  we'd  let  the  stranger  muss  him  up. 
Eeckon  the  new  feller  could  do  it,  at  that." 

'•  I  mean,  about  what  he  said  to  me,"  quietly  corrected 
Polcher,  drawing  a  step  nearer,  both  hands  under  his  apron 
now. 

"  Lawd,  he  didn't  go  for  to  give  ye  any  lip,  did  he  ?  "  cried 
Thatch.  "  If  he  did,  ye  was  a  fool  to  take  it.  Lem'me  tell 
ye  somethin',  Polcher,  that  mebbe  ye  don't  know.  Lon 
Hester's  fightin'  nerve  is  mighty  poor  quality.  He's  low- 
down.     If  ever  he  gives  ye  any  lip,  jest  ye  comb  him.     Why, 


54  RED  BELTS 

if  I  was  a  bit  younger,  I'd  mount  him  in  a  second.  Makes 
me  feel  wolfish  round  the  head  an'  shoulders  to  see  that  feller 
carry  on  so  an'  make  his  betters  step  aside.  Now,  'cause  ye 
keep  a  tavern,  he  'lows  he  can  bully  ye.  But  if  ye'll  jest 
swing  a  bottle  ag'in  his  chuckle-head  he'll  be  as  meek  as  a 
rabbit." 

He  ran  out  of  breath  and  paused.  Polcher  frowned  slightly, 
withdrew  one  hand  and  rubbed  his  chin  doubtfully.  Jackson 
hugely  admired  the  old  man's  dissimulation  and  lowered  his 
rifle. 

"  I  thought  you  heard  him  giving  me  some  lip  when  you 
woke  up,"  mused  Polcher.  "  I  intended  to  ask  you  about  it, 
but  you  was  gone  before  I  remembered.  I  want  you  to  promise 
me  you'll  say  notliing  about  it.  If  the  other  fellows  knew 
he'd  made  cheap  talk  to  me,  it  might  set  them  all  doing  the 
same  thing.     And  I  have  it  hard  enough  as  it  is." 

Old  Thatch  avoided  this  trap  also  and  replied : 

"  But  I  never  heard  nothin'.  But  I  do  still  opine  ye 
didn't  treat  me  very  friendly  when  I  only  asked  for  a  gallon. 
I  know  where  a  Injun  has  some  furs  hid,  an'  I'd  have  fetched 
'em  to  ye  tonight.  Ye  might  'a'  took  that  chance  on  a  old 
customer." 

Polcher  laughed  with  his  lips,  making  no  sound,  and  slowly 
withdrew  his  right  hand  from  the  apron  and  folded  his  arms. 

"  See  here.  Thatch,"  he  softly  began,  "  that  gallon  is  yours 
and  several  more  if  vou  fetch  me  the  furs  —  but  leave  the 
Injun." 

"  Leave  the  Injun  ?  " 

"  Exactly.  Leave  him  so  he'll  stay  just  where  you  leave 
him." 

"  Ye  mean  for  me  to  kill  him  ?  "  hoarsely  asked  Thatch. 

"Well,  I'm  quarter-blood,  but  I  don't  like  Injuns,"  mur- 
mured Polcher. 


THE  PKICE  OF  A  JUG  OF  WHISKY  55 

"  But  that  would  bring  a  war-party  ag'in  us,"  the  old  man 
protested. 

"  What's  that  to  you,  you  old  coward  ?  You  wouldn't  have 
to  do  any  fighting.     You're  afraid,"  growled  Polcher. 

"  'Fraid  of  a  Injun  !  Huh !  Like  !  "  wrathf ully  re- 
torted Thatch. 

"  Now  listen  to  me.  If  you  blab  a  word,  you'll  never  blab 
another.  I've  changed  my  mind  about  the  furs.  I  don't 
want  them.     Bring  a  scalp  and  get  your  jug." 

"  I  ain't  got  a  tender  stomach  when  it  comes  to  Injuns. 
But  this  cuss  is  a  friendly  one.  Lives  near  here.  It  would 
be  like  killin'  a  neighbour.  I  —  I  can't  do  it,"  cried  Thatch, 
his  old  face  now  running  sweat. 

"  Then  I've  made  a  mistake  and  talked  to  the  wrong  man. 
It's  your  hair  or  the  Injun's  before  midnight." 

"  It  means  war  on  the  Watauga  cabins,"  whined  Thatch. 

"  That's  nothing  to  you.  A  single  word  of  this  to  any  one 
and  I'll  first  prove  you're  a  drunken  old  liar,  and  then  1^11 
cut  your  throat.     Xow,  I'm  going  back  and  fill  that  jug." 

With  this  gruesome  warning  Polcher  made  for  the  settle- 
ment. Jackson  kept  concealed,  curious  to  see  what  Thatch 
would  do.  He  knew  the  old  man  would  have  no  great  com- 
punctions about  killing  an  Indian.  It  was  the  after-effects 
he  dreaded,  the  prospects  of  his  white  hair  flying  from  a 
Cherokee  belt. 

Polcher's  purpose  was  clear ;  he  wished  to  precipitate  trouble 
between  the  Cherokees  and  the  Watauga  men.  A  mighty 
danger  hung  over  the  settlements;  it  would  only  require  a 
Cherokee  slain  by  a  white  man  to  bring  the  danger  crashing 
down.  Once  committed  to  a  campaign  of  vengeance,  the 
Cherokee  Nation  would  gladly  accept  the  war-belt  offered  by 
McGillivray  and  his  Creeks,  and  Charles  III,  of  Spain,  would 
decide  he  held  winning  cards. 


56  '  EED  BELTS 

Thatch  remained  motionless  until  Polcher  was  out  of  sight 
and  hearing ;  then  with  a  muttered  curse  he  picked  up  his  rifle 
and  shuffled  toward  the  ancient  Indian  trail  which  led  to  the 
south.  Jackson  followed  to  prevent  the  murder.  The  pros- 
pective victim  must  live  near  by,  according  to  Thatch's  words. 
He  would  be  one  of  Old  Tassel's  warriors,  friendly  to  the 
whites  and  willing  to  dwell  on  the  edge  of  their  civilization. 
Mumbling  under  his  breath,  Thatch  followed  the  trail  only  a 
short  distance  before  leaving  it  for  the  forest.  Jackson  was 
now  at  his  heels,  wondering  if  he  were  fully  decided  to  com- 
mit the  crime. 

The  old  man  stopped  close  to  the  trail  and  sat  down  on  a 
log  and  rested  his  rifle  on  some  dead  brush  and  stared  intently 
at  his  feet.  Jackson  watched  his  face  and  saw  his  great  weak- 
ness gradually  conquer.  Thatch  was  picturing  the  endless 
procession  of  jugs  one  scalp  would  buy.  By  degrees  his  aged 
eyes  grew  bright  with  resolution,  and  the  lips  under  the  beard 
ceased  trembling. 

"  What's  a  Injun  more  or  less  ?  "  he  grunted,  stooping  for 
his  rifle  and  slipping  and  plunging  both  arms  deep  into  the 
brush. 

He  began  mouthing  profanity  but  suddenly  desisted  and 
stared  as  if  death-struck.  Jackson  was  greatly  puzzled  at  this 
extraordinary  behaviour.  From  a  decision  to  do  murder  he 
had  inexplicably  dropped  into  the  depths  of  terror.  The 
watery  eyes  were  round  and  fixed,;  the  arms,  still  buried  nearly 
to  the  shoulders,  were  rigid  and  straining.  Then,  very  slowly, 
the  arms  were  withdrawn,  while  the  eyes,  as  if  pulled  by  a 
magnet,  slowly  turned  downward. 

Jackson  nearly  betrayed  himself  when  three  hands  instead 
of  only  two  emerged  from  the  brush. 

"  He's  stumbled  on  to  the  dead  Creek  —  McGillivray's 
messenger !  "  gasped  Jackson  under  his  breath. 

Incredulously  the  old  man  glared  at  the  dead  hand  his 


THE  PEICE  OF  A  JUG  OF  WHISKY  57 

living  hands  had  found  under  the  brush.  For  nearly  a  minute 
he  remained  with  his  gaze  fixed;  then  a  cunning  expression 
crept  over  his  base  face,  and  he  turned  his  head  in  all  direc- 
tions to  make  sure  he  was  unobserved.  Satisfied  he  was  alone 
with  the  dead  brave,  he  grunted  and  growled  like  an  animal 
worrying  its  prey  and  drew  his  knife  and  reaching  deep  into 
the  brush,  worked  with  feverish  haste. 

It  lacked  an  hour  of  ten  o'clock  when  Jackson  finished 
trailing  Thatch  to  his  lonely  cabin.  After  completing  his 
horrid  business,  Thatch  had  proceeded  to  an  isolated  Indian 
hut  and  hung  about  near  the  clearing  waiting  for  an  oppor- 
tunity to  steal  the  furs.  Polcher  had  told  him  the  furs  were 
not  necessary,  but  possibly  the  old  man  planned  to  palm  off 
the  scalp  as  having  belonged  to  the  owner  of  the  pelts  and  thus 
doubly  insure  his  supply  of  strong  drink.  But  the  Indian 
owner  had  remained  near  liis  cabin  door,  and  as  the  shadows 
gathered  the  old  man  sought  his  cabin. 

Jackson  had  planned  to  follow  Thatch  until  he  went  for 
his  whisk}^,  but  as  time  pressed  he  abandoned  his  purpose  and 
hurried  back  to  find  Sevier.  He  was  much  chagrined  to  find 
no  candle  burning  in  the  court-house.  If  he  was  to  keep  his 
appointment  with  Elsie,  he  could  not  waste  any  time  looking 
for  his  friend.  He  hesitated  for  a  moment,  then  set  off  for 
the  Tonpit  cabin. 

He  stood  at  the  edge  of  the  clearing  just  as  the  moon 
climbed  above  the  forest  crown.  The  cabin  was  dark,  and  a 
hush  hung  over  the  place.  He  proceeded  to  the  arbour  and 
softly  called  her  name.  Even  as  he  paused  for  her  to  answer, 
he  was  convinced  she  would  not  come.  Xot  only  did  the  clear- 
ing and  the  cabin  exhale  the  atmosphere  of  something  aban- 
doned, but  the  queer  fancy  obsessed  him  that  life  had  never 
dwelt  there;  that  his  meeting  with  the  girl  in  the  morning 
hours  was  a  dream. 

He  had  promised  her  he  would  not  seek  her  at  the  house. 


58  RED  BELTS 

and  he  had  assured  Sevier  he  would  seek  her  father  there. 
The  silence  was  oppressive  and  grew  upon  him  and  his  first 
feeling,  which  was  of  sadness,  gave  place  for  alarm. 

Groping  his  way  to  the  log,  he  brushed  it  with  his  fingers 
and  was  rewarded  by  finding  a  scrap  of  paper.  This  should 
have  brought  him  happiness  and  should  have  dispelled  his 
morbid  imaginings,  for  it  proved  she  had  been  there  a  short 
time  since  and,  therefore,  must  even  now  be  in  the  cabin. 
The  effect  on  his  melancholy  was  quite  the  contrary ;  it  savoured 
more  of  some  memento  of  old,  dead  days,  like  the  finding  of 
a  keepsake  in  the  debris  of  ancient  things. 

"  Idiot !  ^'  he  snarled  at  himself.  "  One  would  think  I  was 
bewitched.  Elsie  has  been  here  and  left  a  word  for  me. 
Kow  to  see  what  she  has  to  say.'' 

He  hastened  out  into  the  thin  moonlight  and  essayed  to 
read  the  paper  but  was  baffled.  It  was  maddening  to  know 
he  must  wait  until  he  reached  a  cabin  light  before  he  could 
know  her  message.  It  was  a  small,  irregular  piece  of  paper, 
suggesting  it  had  been  torn  hurriedly  from  a  larger  piece. 
This  in  itself,  betokening  great  haste  or  need  of  secrecy,  was 
disquieting.  He  turned,  eager  to  reach  a  light,  then  remem- 
bered his  word  to  Sevier.  Thrusting  the  paper  into  his 
hunting-shirt,  he  strode  through  the  clumps  of  shrubbery  and 
made  for  the  cabin. 

Elsie  had  said  her  father  retired  to  his  room  at  this  hour 
but  not  to  sleep.  He  walked  the  floor  much  of  the  night,  but 
no  light  shone  in  the  cabin.  To  make  sure,  Jackson  made  a 
circuit  of  the  house  before  approaching  the  door.  Then  as  he 
raised  his  hand  to  rap  his  first  premonition  of  emptiness 
came  back  to  him.  He  pounded  lustily  and  gained  no  heed. 
The  cabin  was  dead.  He  seized  the  latch-string  only  to  drop 
it.  He  knew  he  could  gain  an  entrance  easily.  Tonpit  would 
not  bother  to  lock  the  house. 

If  Sevier  were  correct  in  his  surmises,  the  thieves  in  the 


tHE  PEICE  OF  A  JUG  OF  WHISKY  59 

settlement  would  respect  tlie  place  as  belonging  to  a  friend  of 
McGillivray.  Honest  men  would  not  intrude.  But  what 
would  it  profit  for  him  to  enter?  He  had  no  light,  and  he 
doubted  if  a  crumb  of  fire  would  be  burning  in  the  fireplace 
now  it  was  July.  His  fumbling  hands  would  find  many  re- 
minders of  the  girl,  and  he  needed  no  more  than  his  heart  now 
held. 

Turning  away,  he  regained  the  trail  and  hastened  back  to 
the  settlement.  As  he  approached  each  cabin,  he  pulled  forth 
the  paper,  hoping  to  find  a  lighted  window  outside  of  which 
he  could  pause  and  read  his  message.  The  settlers,  however, 
retired  early  in  the  Watauga  region,  and  each  cabin  was  a 
squat,  dark  mass.  But  ahead  there  did  gleam  a  light,  a  tiny 
beacon,  and  he  knew  Sevier  was  awaiting  his  return  to  the 
court-house. 

He  ran  swiftly  and  noiselessly  and  without  pausing  to  an- 
nounce himself  pushed  open  the  door  and  jumped  across  the 
threshold.  Sevier  was  seated  at  the  table,  his  right  elbow 
resting  on  it,  his  hand  gripping  a  long  pistol,  the  muzzle  of 
which  covered  the  door. 

"  You,  Jackson !  "  he  softly  exclaimed,  dropping  the  pistol. 
"  You  come  as  if  the  devil  was  after  you.'' 

"  There's  no  one  in  the  Tonpit  house.  She  left  a  message 
for  me,  and  I  haven't  had  a  chance  to  read  it,"  panted  Jack- 
son, snatching  up  a  candle  and  holding  it  close  to  the  paper. 
Sevier  watched  his  face  closely  and  saw  the  dark  features 
change  from  a  frown  of  perplexity  to  a  scowl  of  understanding. 

"  Eead ! "  choked  Jackson,  restoring  the  candle  to  the  table 
and  dropping  the  note. 

Sevier  bowed  over  it  and  read  — 

Little  Talaseee. 

" ! "  gasped  Jackson,  wiping  his  wet  face.     "  Little 

Talassee !  Where  McGillivray,  Emperor  of  the  Creeks, 
lives ! " 


60  EED  BELTS 

The  writing  was  a  mere  scrawl,  as  if  the  girl  had  but  a 
moment. 

"  It  was  a  surprise  to  her/'  murmured  Sevier.  "  She 
wasn't  prepared  for  it.  They  started  immediately  after  her 
father  gave  the  word.  Of  course  he  went  with  her.  He  isn't 
entirely  an  idiot." 

"  But  why  ?     Why  ?  ''  was  Jackson's  agonized  query. 

Sevier  rose  and  paced  to  the  window  and  back,  his  brows 
wrinkled  in  perplexity.  But  when  he  halted  at  the  table 
again,  the  furrows  on  his  forehead  were  ironed  out.  Placing 
a  hand  on  Jackson's  shoulder,  he  said : 

"  I  think  I  have  it.  The  Creek  messenger  brought  a  talk 
for  Tonpit,  a  writing  from  McGillivray.  Both  McGillivray 
and  Tonpit  knew  what  the  Legislature  intended  to  do.  Ton- 
pit  was  here  to  be  on  the  ground.  His  reward  was  to  be  great 
if  he  influenced  the  bulk  of  the  settlers  to  submit  peacefully 
to  Spain's  rule.  But  McGillivray,  in  putting  everything  at 
stake,  feared  Tonpit  would  not  sta<nd  firm.  So,  I  believe,  his 
message  was  to  demand  a  hostage,  a  guarantee  that  Tonpit 
would  see  the  matter  through  to  the  end.  He  demanded  the 
girl  as  the  hostage.     Her  father  consented." 

"  Good  God !  Impossible !  His  own  daughter !  "  choked 
Jackson. 

"  Wait  a  bit.  Alexander  McGillivray  is  very  much  the 
gentleman.  In  case  of  an  Indian  war,  the  girl  is  safer  with 
him  than  she  is  in  Jouesboro.  He  won't  harm  her.  She 
remains  his  guest  while  her  father  carries  out  his  end  of  the 
bargain.  The  messenger  sent  the  writing  to  Tonpit  through 
one  of  the  tavern  crowd  —  " 

"  Hester ! " 

"  But,  instead  of  turning  and  making  tracks  for  home  once 
the  message  was  delivered,  the  Creek  waited.  He  came 
stealthily  and  even  avoided  the  Cherokee  towns.  Why  should 
he  invite  discovery  by  hanging  around  on  the  edge  of  Jones- 


THE  PRICE  OF  A  JUG  OF  WHISKY  61 

boro?  Because  he  was  waiting  to  guide  Tonpit  and  the  girl 
back  to  the  Coosa  Eiver.  I've  been  down  and  looked  the 
ground  over.  He  was  killed  while  sitting  in  a  clump  of 
bushes.  His  slayer's  trail  entered  the  woods  from  this  settle- 
ment and  then  returned  here.  I  followed  it  both  wavs  until 
it  was  lost  in  the  beaten  path.     Hubbard  did  it,  all  right/' 

Jackson  then  rapidly  told  of  his  meeting  with  Thatch,  the 
quarrel  between  Hester  and  Polcher  and  the  latter's  bargain 
for  a  Cherokee  scalp  and  Thatch's  substitution  of  the  Creek's 
hair. 

Sevier  heard  him  through  in  silence  until  he  described  the 
taking  of  the  scalp.  Then  the  borderer  exclaimed  aloud  and 
cried  — 

''  That's  more  important  than  the  disappearance  of  the 
girl !  " 

"  John  Sevier  —  " 

"  Xo,  no.  Calm  vourself !  IMiss  Elsie  will  be  safe  in 
McGillivray's  town.  But,  if  it's  known  a  peaceful  Cherokee 
has  been  murdered,  we'll  have  Old  Tassel's  three  thousand 
savages  joining  with  Watts  without  waiting  for  any  help 
from  the  Creeks.  That  ^vill  be  the  chance  McGillivray  -has 
been  waiting  for  —  and  the  Lord  help  the  Watauga,  the 
Holston  and  the  French  Broad  and  poor  John  Eobertson 
down  on  the  Cumberland !  " 

"  But  no  Cherokee  will  be  missing,  let  alone  be  dead.  It's 
a  Creek  that  furnishes  the  scalp,"  reminded  Jackson. 

"  And  we  can't  afford  to  have  the  Creek's  murder  known 
any  better  than  we  could  a  Cherokee's,"  cried  Sevier. 
"  McGillivray  would  never  forgive  the  slaying  of  his  mes- 
senger.    The  office  is  almost  sacred. Hubbard  for  getting 

us  into  such  a  mess!  Oh,  whv  didn't  I  examine  the  brush- 
pile  when  down  there  !  I  found  it  easy  enough  but  thought  it 
could  wait  till  I  had  more  time.  Time  ?  Every  second  fights 
against  us !  " 


62  KED  BELTS 


a 


If  Major  Hubbard  hadn't  killed  the  Creek,  then  Thatch 
would  have  wiped  out  a  Cherokee.  It's  six  of  one  and  half  a 
dozen  of  the  other." 

"  Not  so.  You  would  have  stopped  Thatch.  But  we're 
wasting  time.  Make  for  the  tavern.  If  Thatch  isn't  in 
Polcher's  room  in  the  back  end  toward  the  garden,  he  hasn't 
arrived.  You  must  hold  him  up  and  take  the  scalp  from 
him." 

"  And  you  ?  " 

"  I'm  off  to  do  what  I  should  have  done  before  —  bury  the 
Creek  where  none  will  find  him.  Report  to  me  here.  Ee- 
member  what  is  at  stake !  " 

"I'm  an  American/'  growled  Jackson,  snatching  up  his 
rifle  and  gliding  from  the  room. 

The  tap-room  of  the  tavern  contained  half  a  dozen  patrons, 
who  sat  along  the  walls  in  silence,  as  if  waiting.  A  mulatto 
boy  presided  over  the  bar.  There  were  none  of  the  usual 
loungers  outside  the  door,  and  the  door  was  closed.  By 
these  signs  Jackson  knew  Polcher  had  dismissed  all  but  a 
trusty  few  so  as  to  leave  a  clear  path  for  Old  Thatch.  Paus- 
ing only  long  enough  to  make  sure  Hester  was  not  in  the  tap- 
room, the  ranger  skirted  the  zone  of  light  and  gained  the 
garden  at  the  rear. 

There  was  a  light  in  the  room,  but  Jackson  could  not  make 
out  any  occupants.  From  his  position  a  man  on  either  side 
of  the  room  would  be  out  of  range.  To  make  sure  Thatch 
was  not  already  there,  he  dropped  behind  some  currant  bushes 
and  commenced  crawling  to  one  side.  His  manoeuvre  was 
halted  by  the  sudden  appearance  of  Polcher's  figure  blocking 
the  window. 

Then  came  the  devilish  whistle  that  carried  the  edge  of  a 
lance,  and  Jackson  was  startled  and  chagrined  to  hear  a 
feeble  reply  back  of  him.  Steps  shuffled  nearer,  and  the 
young  Virginian  knew  he  had  lost  his  chance  of  intercepting 


THE  PRICE  OF  A  JUG  OF  WHISKY  63 

Thatch.  However,  the  game  was  not  lost.  The  old  man 
would  deliver  his  ghastly  trophy,  and  the  next  play  would  be 
to  vault  through  the  window  and  take  it  away  from  the- 
tavern-keeper. 

"  Can't  see  a  derned  thing  f  acin'  the  light/'  croaked  the- 
complaining  voice  of  Thatch. 

''  Ssstf  You  fool!"  hissed  Polcher,  placing  the  candle  on 
the  floor  so  that  it  fed  up  against  his  ferocious  face  but  no 
longer  blinded  the  gaze  of  his  tool.  "  Come  close.  I've 
cleared  the  babblers  from  the  tap-room,  but  it's  best  even  they 
should  not  see  you.  I  have  the  jug  here,  filled.  Have  you 
the  price  ?  " 

"I've  fetched  the  price,"  shivered  Thatch,  and  he  passed 
within  three  feet  of  Jackson  in  making  for  the  window. 

"  Good !  Good !  "  softly  applauded  Polcher.  "  I  knew  you 
had  the  right  stuff  in  you." 

"I  —  I  couldn't  git  no  furs !  "  huskily  confessed  Thatch. 

"  You  brought  the  other  ?  "  anxiously  demanded  Polcher. 

"  It's  here  in  my  shirt." 

"  Then the  furs  and  hand  over." 

"  Here  she  be,  but  I'm  mighty  onnerved.  Kindly  pass  out 
the  jug  afore  I  drop.  I  feel  like  the  devil's  been  taggin'  every 
one  of  my  steps.     Ugh  ! " 

"Just  a  minute,"  mumbled  Polcher,  ducking  from  Jack- 
son's view  in  bending  close  to  the  light. 

"  I  tell  ye  I  need  some  licker  now,"  insisted  Thatch.  "  I 
feel  dretful  sick.     I  can  see  all  sorts  of  critters  right  beside 


me." 


"  Hush,  70U  fool ! "  gritted  Polcher,  raising  his  head. 
"  Here,  I'll  hold  it.  Drink ! "  There  came  a  protracted 
gurgling,  followed  by  a  deep  sigh  of  content. 

"  Eeckon  now  I'm  game  to  face  all  the  devils  atween  the 
Watauga  an'  the  Cumberland,"  declared  Thatch.  "  Gim'me 
my  jug." 


64  EED  BELTS 

'*'  Not  so  fast/^  muttered  Polcher.  "  Stand  close  to  the 
window.  I'm  going  to  lift  the  light  long  enough  to  see  you 
ain't  covered  with  blood.  That  would  give  the  whole  game 
away/' 

"  There  ain't  a  speck  on  me,"  proudly  assured  Thatch,  lean- 
ing against  the  sill. 

Polcher  lifted  the  candle  for  a  moment  and  briefly  ex- 
amined the  head  and  shoulders  of  the  old  man,  then  dropped 
to  the  floor  again. 

"  Ye're   a  of   a   long  time   payin'   over   that   jug," 

grumbled  Thatch.  "  I  want  to  be  gittin'  back  to  my  cabin. 
Goin'  to  make  a  night  of  it.  Reg^'lar  old  blue  devil  comes 
out  an'  grins  at  me  —  lives  in  the  fireplace.  Keeps  yappin' 
for  me  to  make  the  fire  hotter'n  hotter.  That  is,  he  does  when 
I  have  'nough  whisky." 

Polcher  reappeared  above  the  sill  and  seized  Thatch  by  the 
arm  and  hoarsely  accused : 

"  What  the  devil  does  this  mean  ?  This  ain't  a  prime,  fresh 
scalp.     It's  more'n  a  dozen  hours  old." 

"  What  ye  tryin'  to  make  out  now,  Polcher,"  choked  Thatch, 
striving  in  vain  to  keep  his  terror  from  showing. 

Polcher  maintained  his  grip  on  the  old  man's  arm  while  he 
ducked  his  head  for  another  study  of  the  scalp.  Then  with  a 
smothered  oath  he  hissed  — 

"  Creek  hair !     You  —  " 

"  Don't !  Don't !  "  pleaded  Thatch,  his  voice  squealing. 
And  he  sought  to  tear  his  arm  loose. 

Polcher  held  him  firmly  and  stared  with  lack-luster  eyes 
into  the  frightened  face  for  nearly  a  minute.  His  gaze 
seemed  to  exert  a  hypnotic  influence  on  the  wretch,  for  the 
struggling  ceased,  and  the  pleading  stopped. 

"  Xow  tell  me  where  you  got  a  Creek  scalp/'  gently  com- 
manded Polcher. 

Mumblingly  and  often  inaudible  to  the  eavesdropper  behind 


THE  PRICE  OF  A  JUG  OF  WHISKY  65 

the  currant  bushes,  Thatch  blurted  out  his  story  of  having 
found  a  warrior  buried  under  some  brush.  The  man  had 
been  dead  only  a  few  hours,  and  he  supposed  it  was  a 
Cherokee. 

"  It  was  atween  the  tliree  black  oaks  an'  a  clump  of  poplars," 
he  explained.  "  An^  I  couldn't  see  why  his  sculp  wasn't  jest 
as  good  as  if  I'd  done  for  him." 

"  It's  just  as  good,"  slowly  replied  Polcher.  "  It's  much 
better.  And  the  Watauga  will  pay  the  price  when  McGillivray 
hears  of  it.  His  messenger  killed  by  the  settlers !  By  the 
Almighty,  but  won't  he  rage!  And  I  know  who  killed  him 
and  scalped  him,  and  we'll  prove  it." 

"  Polcher  !  Ye  don't  go  for  to  throw  me,  do  ye  ?  "  whispered 
Thatch. 

Polcher  laughed. 

"  Xone  of  my  friends  did  this 


5? 


Thatch  began  to  understand  and  faltered. 
"  Chucky  Jack  ?  " 


a 


Think  I'm  a  fool  ?  "     Xo  one  so  high  as  that." 

"  Promise  me  it  ain't  me,"  groaned  Thatch,  his  fears  re- 
turning. 

"  Xo  one  so  low  as  you,  old  friend." 

" an'  brimstone  !     Spit  it  out,  Polcher.     Ye  make  me 

think  of  that  big  blue  devil  in  my  fireplace !  What's  the 
idee  ?  " 

"  I  have  six  witnesses  in  the  tap-room  who'll  swear  that 
from  a  distance  they  saw  you  try  to  stop  the  murderer  from 
killing  the  Creek;  that,  after  he  had  killed  and  scalped  his 
victim,  he  chased  you  into  the  woods  to  prevent  you  from 
blabbin<y 


7J 


Good !  "  ejaculated  Thatch,  his  form  straightening. 
"  They'll  swear  that  they  came  and  told  me  and  that  we 
were  about  to  go  out  and  search  for  you  and  the  murderer, 
when  vou  came  runnino:  here,  chased  bv  the  scoundrel." 


66  EED  BELTS 

"  Hold  on ! ''  spluttered  Thatch.  ''  What's  that  'bout  him 
trvin'  to  ketch  me  ?     Of  course  he  didn't  ketch  me,  did  he  ?  " 

"  Yes !  "  softly  cried  Polcher,  darting  his  body  half  out  the 
window  to  secure  room  for  knife-play. 

It  was  over  before  Jackson  dreamed  of  what  the  finale  was 
to  be.  With  a  low  groan  the  old  man  fell  to  the  ground,  and 
the  tavern-keeper's  figure  was  drawn  inside  the  window  like 
some  monstrous  spider  retiring  to  its  lair. 

With  a  wild  shout  of  rage  Jackson  leaped  to  his  feet  and 
discharged  liis  rifle  into  the  room  a  fraction  of  a  second  after 
Polcher  had  dropped  below  the  sill.  The  report  had  hardly 
jarred  the  night  calm  before  the  landlord  was  raising  his 
head  to  glimpse  the  ranger's  distorted  visage  almost  at  the 
window.  Darting  to  the  door  opening  into  the  tap-room, 
Polcher  threw  it  back  and  screamed : 

"  Help !  Help !  Surround  the  building !  Jackson,  the 
ranger,  just  killed  Old  Thatch  in  the  garden !  Jackson  killed 
an  Indian.  Thatch  saw  him  and  he  followed  the  old  man 
here  to  stop  his  telling  me !  Back  of  the  building  and  head 
him  ofi  if  he  takes  to  the  woods ! " 

Nonplussed,  incapable  of  intelligent  thinking  for  a  mo- 
ment, Jackson  stood  with  empty  gun  while  Polcher  shouted 
his  terrible  accusations.  Then  came  the  rush  of  swift  feet, 
and  the  young  Virginian  knew  Polcher's  creatures  had  been 
kept  in  waiting  for  just  such  work.  He  knew  Thatch  would 
have  been  killed  in  any  event  and  the  alarm  given  that  Kirk 
Jackson  had  done  for  him. 

Eetreating  from  the  garden,  he  worked  his  way  toward  the 
court-house,  only  to  observe  lights  springing  up  in  the  nearest 
cabins,  the  inmates  being  alarmed  by  the  rifle-shot  and  the 
loud  cries  of  Polcher  and  his  men.  Jackson  dodged  one  of 
the  tavern  posse  and  escaped  discovery  by  a  hair-breadth. 
The  court-house  was  dark,  Sevier  had  not  returned.  To  wait 
for  him  and  withstand  the  temper  of  Polcher's  creatures  was 


THE  PRICE  OF  A  JUG  OF  WHISKY  67 

out  of  the  question.  At  the  midday  meal  Stetson  had  re- 
peated his  offer  of  a  horse,  urging  him  to  select  an  animal 
from  the  log  corral  any  time. 

Five  minutes  after  escaping  the  garden  he  was  well  down 
the  trail  back  of  the  court-house  and  leading  a  horse  from  the 
pen. 

Another  five  minutes  and  Sevier  came  face  to  face  with  a 
group  of  citizens  in  front  of  the  court-house.  Some  of  them 
carried  torches.  Among  them  were  several  of  Polcher's  men ; 
some  were  honest  men. 

"What's  all  this  confusion  about?"  demanded  Sevier. 
"  One  would  think  there  was  an  Indian  raid  on." 

"  Yer  friend.  Kirk  Jackson,  has  killed  a  friendly  Injun ! " 
roared  a  tavern  man. 

"  Prove  that,  and  we  shall  have  to  hang  Mr.  Jackson," 
Sevier  promptly  replied.  "  But,  if  any  one  tries  any  promis- 
cuous hanging,  he'll  dangle  from  an  oak  limb  just  as  sure  as 
I'm  called  Nolichucky  Jack.  Burn  that  fact  into  your  brains. 
We  belong  to  no  State  now.  Until  we've  arranged  some  form 
of  government,  I'm  the  law.  Let  a  hair  of  Jackson's  head  be 
harmed  before  his  guilt  is  proven  and  I'll  hang  the  offender. 
And  the  first  man  to  tread  air  will  be  Polcher,  the  tavern- 
keeper.     Now  we'll  hear  the  evidence." 


CHAPTER  IV 

FOR  WATAUGA  AND  AMERICA 

WHILE  some  of  the  men,  notably  those  under  the 
influence  of  Polcher,  pressed  the  search  for  Jack- 
son, others  heeded  Sevier's  request  and  repaired  to 
the  court-house  to  conduct  an  inquiry  into  the  tragedy.  There 
was  none  so  simple-minded  as  not  to  realize  that  the  death  of 
either  Creek  or  Cherokee  might  precipitate  a  bloody  war. 
With  Spain  in  league  with  the  Creek  Nation,  it  was  only  the 
pacific  tendency  of  Old  Tassel  that  had  restrained  the  Chero- 
kees  under  his  immediate  control.  There  were  other  thou- 
sands of  Cherokees  who  only  waited  for  a  strong  incentive 
to  send  them  into  line  with  the  Creeks. 

The  five  lower  towns  on  the  western  frontier  of  the  Cherokee 
countr}',  including  Creeks,  Shawnees  and  white  renegades  as 
well  as  the  original  Cherokee  founders,  lusted  and  clamoured 
for  battle.  John  Watts  and  Dragging  Canoe,  their  leaders, 
only  waited  to  augment  their  numbers  before  striking.  To 
start  the  riot  of  bloodshed  and  burning  cabins  it  only  required 
some  isolated  act  such  as  the  unprovoked  slaying  of  an  Indian 
near  a  white  settlement.  For  two  years  the  situation  had 
been  shaping  up.  If  ever  Spain  was  to  establish  an  empire 
by  force  in  America,  no  fairer  opportunity  could  exist  than 
the  present. 

Of  course  there  was  Old  Thatch's  death  to  be  investigated, 
but  aside  from  his  tavern  cronies  there  were  few  to  lament  his 
passing.  His  demise  could  be  considered  leisurely;  it  carried 
no  train  of  red  axes.  The  murder  of  the  Indian  was  epochal. 
The  settlers  assembled  in  the  court-house  viewed  the  situation 

68 


FOR  WATAUGA  AXD  AMERICA  G9 

objectively.  Whether  the  dead  be  Creek  or  Cherokee,  his 
people  would  seek  reprisal.  Seviers  yision  carried  him  beyond 
the  Watauga.  He  saw  the  destiny  of  the  new  world  about  to 
unfold.  The  vast  western  country  was  unexplored  except  as 
half-civilized  forest-rangers  penetrated  depths  they  could  not 
comprehend. 

The  door  to  this  unknown  region  was  closed,  and  Sevier 
knew  it  must  soon  open  and  reveal  a  home-maker's  paradise. 
Bold  men  in  Kentucky  had  glimpsed  the  marvellous  pos- 
sibilities. Now  was  the  crisis;  an  Indian's  death  might  be 
the  hinge  on  which  the  door  would  swing  to  admit  either  im- 
perial Spain  or  democratic  America.  Could  it  be  kept  shut  a 
bit  longer,  until  Chucky  Jack  had  summoned  the  faithful, 
then  let  it  open  as  widely  as  it  would  and  Spain  face  her 
answer. 

''  Where's  this  man  Jackson  ?  "  asked  a  settler. 

*•  Probably  dodging  the  mob.  He'll  appear  when  he  knows 
he  can  have  a  fair  hearing,"  said  Sevier.  Then  to  a  man 
near  the  door,  "  Stetson,  go  and  find  Polcher.  He  doesn't 
seem  to  be  here." 

As  the  messenger  departed,  Sevier  began  scribbling  on  the 
back  of  his  petition.  The  men  believed  he  was  setting  down 
the  known  facts  of  the  double  killing.  Had  they  glanced 
over  his  shoulder  thev  would  have  read : 

Isaac  Shelby,  Geo.  Eogers  Clark  and  Benj.  Logan  will  raise  5,000 
men  in  Ky. 

Arthur   Campbell  will  be  good  for  3,000  more   in  southwest  Va. 

Robertson  can  surely  bring  1,000  from  the  Cumberland. 

Elijah  Clarke  can  raise  at  least  5,000  in  northern  Georgia. 

We  are  good  for  3,000. 

Tot.  17,000  rifles  —  if  we  have  time. 

He  studied  the  list  thoughtfully  and  nodded  approval. 
Give  him  a  few  inches  of  time  time  before  the  storm  broke, 
and  he  would  stake  his  soul  on  the  American  manhood  of 


70  RED  BELTS 

the  seventeen  thousand  riflemen  he  had  listed.  If  Spain 
and  her  tools  could  be  held  off  for  a  few  months,  then  the 
Western  door  would  swing  back  to  allow  men  in  buckskin  to 
file  through  and  take  possession.  He  drummed  on  the  table 
idly,  then  tore  off  a  strip  of  paper  containing  his  notes  and  fed 
it  to  a  candle.  With  the  exception  of  George  Rogers  Clark, 
all  the  men  on  the  list  had  fought  with  him,  some  under  his 
command. 

"  Didn't  know  your  friend  was  so  keen  set  ag'in  Injuns, 
Jack,"  spoke  up  a  grey-bearded  man  an  honest  if  simple 
fellow. 

"  It's  his  fightin'  ag'in'  the  Sha-wmees,"  declared  a  tavern 
lounger. 

"  Kirk  Jackson  has  killed  too  many  Indians  in  open  war- 
fare to  have  to  slay  them  by  murder,"  growled  Sevier.  ^  We 
won't  convict  till  we've  heard  the  evidence.  We  haven't  any 
proof  yet  that  an  Indian  has  been  killed.  After  that's  shown 
it  will  be  time  enough  to  name  the  slayer." 

"  Polcher's  got  the  proof.  He'll  be  here  in  a  second,"  cried 
a  voice. 

Sevier  rose  and  strolled  to  the  door,  his  manner  calm  but 
his  nerves  inclined  to  jump.  Through  the  doorway  he  had 
glimpsed  the  face  of  Major  Hubbard,  and  he  feared  lest  the 
Indian-hater  should  enter  and  boldly  announce  his  bloody 
coup.  Standing  so  as  to  block  the  gaze  of  those  behind  him, 
he  caught  Hubbard  by  the  shoulder  and  whispered : 

"The  devil's  to  pay!  Your  one  dead  Indian  may  bring 
death  to  many  women  and  children.  Let  no  one  know  you 
did  it.  You'd  better  go  away  until  it's  over.  I'm  hoping  I 
can  stave  it  off  —  that  they  won't  find  the  body." 

Hubbard  hesitated,  then  the  feeble  wail  of  a  child  from 
some  cabin  struck  to  his  heart,  and  with  a  shudder  he  slipped 
back  into  the  darkness  just  in  time  to  avoid  being  seen  by  a 
group  of  men  carrying  torches.     As  the  men  drew  up  to  the 


FOR  WATAUGA  AND  AMERICA  71 

door,  Sevier  saw  they  had  brought  the  silent  form  of  Thatch 
on  a  stretcher  of  rifles. 

Sevier  stepped  aside  and  the  men  filed  in  and  deposited  the 
body  on  the  floor  before  the  table  and  took  their  seats.  Pol- 
cher  remained  standing  until  Sevier  returned  to  the  table, 
when  he  approached  and  placed  the  Creek  scalp  before  Sevier. 
The  borderer  bowed  abstractedly  and  waited  for  the  tavern- 
keeper  to  retire. 

"  We  will  now  open  the  inquiry  into  the  death  of  Amos 
Thatch,"  announced  Sevier.  "  Polcher,  what  do  you  know 
about  it  ?  " 

Polcher  stood  up  and  testified :  "  I  was  in  my  room,  with 
a  coloured  boy  tending  the  bar.  I  was  figuring  up  my  accounts 
when  I  heard  my  name  spoken  softly  and  looked  up  to  see 
poor  Thatch's  face  at  the  window.  He  seemed  to  be  badly 
frightened.  I  thought  it  was  nerves,  the  need  of  a  drink.  I 
picked  up  a  jug  and  gave  him  a  drink.  The  liquor  seemed  to 
straighten  him  out,  and  he  told  me  he  was  trying  to  escape 
the  man  called  Kirk  Jackson.  He  said  he  had  come  upon 
Jackson  down  the  trail  and  that  Jackson  was  ripping  the  hair 
off  an  Indian  he  had  just  shot  — " 

"  Did  he  say  he  saw  him  shoot  him  ?  "  broke  in  Sevier. 

"  I  don't  think  so.  He  talked  fast  and  was  much  fright- 
ened. I  remember  he  said  the  shot  attracted  his  attention. 
He  was  lying  down,  had  been  asleep.  He  got  up  and  saw 
Jackson  scalping  the  Indian.  I  take  it  for  granted  he  didn't 
see  the  shot,  although  he  must  have  been  very  close.  Of 
course  his  story  was  more  or  less  broken  up.  I'm  only  giving 
the  substance  of  it.  He  said  he  cried  out  and  asked  Jackson 
why  he  killed  the  Indian  and  risked  bringing  on  a  war. 
Jackson  sprang  to  his  feet  and  snapped  his  rifle  at  him,  for- 
getting he  hadn't  reloaded  it. 

"  Poor  Thatch  then  ran  for  his  life  with  Jackson  after  him. 
He  knew  Jackson  would  catch  him  if  he  didn't  hide.     He 


72  EED  BELTS 

managed  to  dart  into  a  hollow  tree.  Knowing  Jackson  would 
kill  him  to  prevent  his  being  a  witness  against  him,  the  old 
man  kept  in  hiding  till  long  after  dark.  If  he  could  make  my 
place  without  being  seen,  he  knew  I  would  protect  him.  His 
talk  was  wild  because  of  his  fear.  He  insisted  he  was  fol- 
lowed, that  Jackson  was  right  behind  him.  He  wanted  to 
crawd  through  the  window.  Poor  Old  Thatch!  If  I'd  only 
let  him  in  through  the  window!  But  I  thought  it  was  all 
nonsense. 

''  He'd  been  drinking  too  much  the  last  few  days,  and  only 
this  morning  I  refused  to  let  him  have  some  whisky.  I  told 
him  to  pass  round  to  the  tap-room  door  and  I'd  see  that  no 
one  harmed  him.  He  started  to  do  so  when  some  one  jumped 
him  from  behind  the  currant-bushes.  The  old  man  must 
have  lost  his  head,  for  instead  of  running  up  to  the  window 
he  stood  in  his  tracks  as  if  paralyzed.  Then  he  yelled  out, 
and  I  knew  he'd  got  it. 

"  I  climbed  through  the  window  and  Jackson  saw  me  and 
fired.  I  called  to  the  men,  and  they  came  on  the  run.  We 
got  lights  and  found  where  Jackson  hid  behind  the  bushes. 
The  tracks  of  his  Shawnee  moccasins  are  very  plain.  You 
can  see  them  for  yourself.  It  was  at  that  spot  we  found  the 
scalp  I've  given  you.     I  think  that's  all." 

"  Very  connectedly  told,"  murmured  Sevier,  rapidly  making 
some  notes.     "  Did  you  see  Jackson  to  recognize  him  ?  " 

*^  I  did.  After  I  leaped  through  the  window  he  started 
toward  me,  then  heard  the  men  coming  and  thought  better  of 
it.     I  saw  his  face  plainly." 

"  That  would  seem  to  prove  the  killing  of  Thatch,"  mused 
Sevier,  rising  and  advancing  with  a  candle  to  the  body. 

He  held  the  candle  close  and  superficially  examined  the 
location  of  the  wound  and  measured  the  cut  in  the  soiled  hunt- 
ting-shirt.     Eeturning  to  the  table  he  asked  — 

"  Are  there  any  witnesses  to  the  killing  of  the  Indian  ?  " 


FOE  WATAUGA  AND  AMERICA  73 

One  of  the  tavern  characters  stood  up  and  awkwardly  bobbed 
his  head. 

"  Job  Twill,"  greeted  Sevier.     "  Tell  what  you  know." 

Twill  began : 

"  Me'n  two  other  fellers  was  down  on  the  trail  an'  seen  this 
Jackson  crawlin'  toward  the  three  black  oaks.  We  watched, 
'lowin'  he  was  goin'  to  bag  a  deer.  Then  we  see  a  Injun  stick 
his  head  out  of  some  bushes,  an'  this  yere  Jackson  cuss  fired. 
Almost  the  same  time  we  seen  poor  Thatch  come  through  the 
bushes  an'  go  into  the  bushes  after  Jackson.  Afore  we  could 
git  to  thinkin'  straight,  Old  Thatch  busted  back  into  sight, 
runnin'  his  old  legs  off,  with  Jackson  poundin'  after  him. 
That's  all  we  seen." 

"  Who  were  the  two  men  with  you  ?  " 

"  Lon  Hester  'n  Bert  Price.  They're  out  huntin'  for  the 
murderer  now." 

"  I  see.  You  were  in  the  tavern  this  morning  when  Jack- 
son had  trouble  with  Hester  ?  " 

"  I  was  there  when  he  picked  a  row  with  Hester,"  growled 
the  witness. 

They  laid  aside  their  weapons  ?  " 

Yes,  'cause  Polcher  wouldn't  have  any  killin'.  Hester 
threw  his  knife  on  the  bar,  an'  Jackson  hung  his  ax  an'  pistol 
on  his  rifle.  That  is,  he  hung  his  belt  holdin'  'em  on  the 
rifle." 

"  Can  you  describe  the  pistol  ?  " 

"  Long  one,  with  the  bar'el  all  scarred  up,  like  it  had  been 
banged  round  a  lot." 

"  Good  for  you.  Twill.  You've  got  a  sharp  eye.  What 
about  the  ax  ?  " 

"  Ahem ! "  broke  in  Polcher,  trying  to  catch  the  witness' 
eye  but  unable  to  do  so  because  Twill  stood  in  front  of  him. 
"  I  think  —  " 

"  I  think  you'll  be  lying  beside  Mr.  Thatch  if  you  interrupt 


U  RED  BELTS 

these  proceedings  with  another  word !  "  roared  Sevier,  cover- 
ing the  tavern-keeper  with  his  pistol.  Then  to  the  startled 
witness,  "  Go  on.  Twill." 

"  Th'  ax  wa'n't  a  common  trade  ax.  It  was  made  for  real 
work,  extry  strong  an'  the  handle  showed  hard  wear,"  faltered 
the  witness,  feeling  Polcher's  gaze  boring  into  the  back  of  his 
head  but  not  daring  to  look  back. 

"  Excellent ! "  heartily  approved  Sevier.  "  Give  me  a 
thousand  men  with  your  eyes  and  memory  and  I'd  ask  help  of 
neither  State  nor  Congi^ess.  But  we  must  get  along  faster. 
Now  describe  the  knife." 

"  There  waVt  no  knife,"  the  witness  promptly  answered. 

A  faint  growl  of  rage  from  Polcher  and  a  wide  smile  from 
Sevier  warned  the  witness  his  patron  was  displeased  with  his 
evidence.  Half  turning  his  head  and  entirely  missing  the 
cue  Polcher's  savage  gaze  was  seeking  to  convey  to  him,  he 
persisted : 

"  Don't  ye  remember,  Polcher,  when  he  hung  his  belt  on 
the  rifle,  it  held  only  a  ax  an'  pistol  an'  that  there  wa'n't  no 
loop  for  a  knife?  One  of  the  boys  spoke  about  it  after  he 
went  out  that  it  was  queer  he  didn't  carry  no  knife.  An' 
Price  said  he  might  'a'  killed  lots  of  Injuns  but  without  a 
knife  he  couldn't  'a'  took  any  —  " 

Too  late  he  saw  the  trap  he  had  been  led  into,  and  with  a 
terrified  stare  at  the  ominous-eyed  tavern-keeper  he  halted 
and  bit  his  lips,  then  glared  helplessly  at  Sevier. 

"  Without  a  knife  he  couldn't  take  any  scalps,"  completed 
Sevier.  "  In  spots.  Twill,  you're  an  honest  witness.  You 
speak  the  truth  when  you  forget.  Kirk  Jackson  carried  no 
knife  when  he  came  to  Jonesboro.  What  is  more,  he  always 
fought  honourably  and  did  not  scalp.  Polcher  made  a  mistake 
in  thinking  he  recognized  him.  Amos  Thatch  was  killed 
with  a  knife,  a  broad-bladed  knife,  not  a  hunting-knife. 
Jackson  never  killed  him.     Now,  Twill.     No,  no ;  look  at  me. 


FOR  WATAUGA  AXD  AMERICA  75 

'Now,  sir,  you  dare  tell  Xolichucky  Jack  Sevier  that  you  and 
Hester  and  Price  saw  Jackson  shoot  an  Indian?  Be  careful. 
I've  hung  horsethieves  in  Jonesboro.  I'll  hang  you  for  a  liar 
before  morning  if  you  don't  tell  the  truth." 

Twill  turned  a  ghastly  white  and  licked  his  lips  frantically. 
In  the  blazing  eyes  of  Sevier  he  saw  the  noose  if  he  were 
caught  bearing  false  witness.  He  knew  Polcher's  cruel  gaze 
was  warning  him  his  days  were  numbered  unless  he  persisted 
in  his  story.  But  Sevier  had  meted  border  justice  to  several 
of  Twill's  cronies. 

"I  —  I  may  have  been  mistook,"  he  faltered,  gulping  out 
the  words  with  difficultv  and  knowinof  he  must  leave  the 
Watauga  country  before  morning  if  he  valued  his  life.  "  It 
was  a  right  smart  distance  off.  Mebbe  it  wa'n't  Jackson.  I'd 
—  I'd  been  drinkin'  hard." 

"  Maybe  you  didn't  see  anything.  Just  dreamed  it  ?  "  sug- 
gested Sevier. 

With  a  low  groan  Twill  made  complete  surrender  before 
the  compelling  gaze  and  desperately  cried  out: 

"  I  reckon  so.  Jest  dreamed  it.  An'  I  want  to  git  out  of 
here." 

Sevier  nodded  toward  the  door.  As  Twill  made  for  it, 
Polcher  sprang  to  his  feet  as  if  to  follow  him.  Sevier  raised 
the  pistol  and  warned : 

"  Not  another  step,  Polcher."  Then  humorously,  "  I'll 
have  no  tampering  with  the  witness." 

Polcher  returned  to  his  seat  and  quietly  promised  — 

*^  The  red  war-club  will  be  lifted  up  for  this,  Sevier." 

"  Hayi!  Yu!"  sneered  Sevier,  using  the  introduction  of 
the  sacred  formula  for  going  to  war.  "  I  know  your  heart 
well.  You  wait  and  long  to  hear  the  red  war-whoop,  but  your 
soul  shall  become  blue.  So  shall  it  be."  Then  to  the  others, 
"  It's  time  now,  my  friends,  to  visit  the  spot  where  this 
Indian  is  said  to  have  been  killed." 


76  EED  BELTS 

"  Said  to  have  been  killed  ?  "  choked  Polcher.  "  And  the 
poor  devil's  scalp  is  before  you  on  that  table." 

Sevier  picked  it  up  and  examined  it  curiously  and  invited  : 

"  Stetson,  you  know  scalps  and  Indians.     Come  up  here." 

The  settler  advanced  and  bowed  his  broad  shoulders  over 
the  table  and  held  the  scalp  up  to  the  candle  and  examined  it 
closely.     Then  in  surprise : 

"  This  ain't  no  fresh  scalp.  It  was  took  from  a  Injun 
who'd  been  dead  for  hours.  Huh !  Looks  like  it  was  took 
off  by  a  blind  man.  ISTo  border-man  would  scalp  like  that. 
Besides,  the  Injun  was  so  long  dead  no  blood  come.  What 
kind  of  a  game  is  this,  anyway  ?  "  And  he  turned  and  glared 
angrily  at  the  tavern-keeper. 

"  So  much  for  Stetson.  And  he  knows  what  he  is  talking 
about,"  said  Sevier.  "  Now  we'll  take  torches  and  go  down 
the  trail  to  where  the  Indian  was  killed.  The  three  oaks 
make  the  spot  easy  to  find." 

I  can  lead  you  there  in  the  dark,"  Stetson  assured. 
But  we'll  carry  lighted  torches,  and  Polcher  will  go  with 
us,"  Sevier  significantly  ruled. 

And  the  mixed-blood  knew  the  words  contained  a  threat. 

"  I'll  be  glad  to  go,"  stoutly  declared  the  tavern-keeper. 

I  want  this  thing  cleared  up  as  much  as  any  one  does.  All 
I  know  about  it  is  what  I've  told.  Thatch's  story  prepared 
me  to  see  Jackson  when  the  old  man  was  killed.  Perhaps  I 
made  a  mistake,  but,  if  I  did,  it  was  an  honest  one.  The 
knife  part  doesn't  prove  Jackson  innocent,  for  he  could  have 
picked  up  a  knife  anywhere." 

"  True,"  agreed  Sevier  softly,  "  but  I'm  surprised  he  should 
pick  up  a  butcher-knife.     And  Twill's  story — " 

"  I'm  not  responsible  for  that,"  hotly  broke  in  Polcher, 
ignoring  the  reference  to  the  mortal  weapon.  "  He  heard  me 
tell  the  boys  what  I'd  been  told  and  had  seen.     He  up  and 


<i 


FOR  WATAUGA  AND  AMERICA  77 

told  me  his  story.     I  supposed  it  was  the  truth.     It  looks 
now  as  if  he  wanted  to  appear  important/^ 

Nor  did  Polcher  believe  his  scheme  had  failed.  If  Jackson 
escaped  his  net,  there  still  remained  the  big,  vital  objective 
—  the  precipitation  of  war  between  the  reds  and  whites.  The 
plot  to  implicate  Jackson  had  been  at  the  most  a  by-play  to 
satisfy  Polcher's  hate  for  Sevier.  He  would  have  struck  him 
by  striking  his  friend.  But,  so  far  as  the  real  purpose  was 
concerned,  it  mattered  not  whether  Jackson  or  Thatch  was 
believed  guilty  of  the  killing. 

All  Polcher  asked  was  for  the  news  to  spread  that  a  Creek 
had  been  murdered.  He  had  originally  planned  to  assassinate 
a  Cherokee,  but  the  Creek  fitted  in  just  as  pleasingly.  There- 
fore it  was  with  genuine  alacrity  that  he  caught  up  a  torch 
and  took  a  place  beside  Sevier  at  the  end  of  the  little 
procession. 

Stetson  took  the  lead.  Polcher  walked  in  silence  beside  the 
borderer  for  a  minute  and  then  gravely  asked  — 

"  What's  to  become  of  us,  John,  now  that  the  mother  State 
has  cast  us  off  ?  " 

"  We're  not  entirely  orphaned,"  Sevier  retorted.  "  We  can 
rap  on  the  door  of  the  central  Government,  and,  as  a  separate 
State,  say,  *  Here  is  your  child.'  " 

"  But  will  the  Government  take  us  in  ?     Can  it  protect  us  ?  " 

"  If  it  can't  protect  us,  it  doesn't  make  any  difference 
whether  it  takes  us  in  or  doesn't.  We  can  keep  on  shifting  for 
ourselves  as  we've  always  done." 

"  I  sometimes  think  you  misunderstand  me  and  my  mo- 
tives," Polcher  regretted. 

"  Never ! "  emphatically  assured  Sevier  with  a  broad  smile. 

"  All  I  want  to  do  is  my  duty  by  the  settlers  on  this  side 
of  the  mountains,"  Polcher  warmly  declared. 

Our  first  duty  is  to  see  that  the  settlers  in  this  valley  and 


u 


78  EED  BELTS 

those  on  the  Holston  and  French  Broad  are  not  wiped  out  by 
that  red  ax  yow  said  was  coming." 

*^  I  spoke  foolishly,"  sighed  Polcher.  "  I  only  meant  that 
the  killing  of  this  Indian  would  make  trouble.  You  and  I  are 
one  in  wanting  to  save  the  settlements.  Why  not  accept  aid 
where  we  can  find  it  ?  " 

"  From  over  the  water  ?  Already  we've  stood  more  from 
Spain  than  we  ever  endured  from  the  mother  country.  If  we 
didn't  want  a  separate  existence,  why  did  we  go  through  a 
war  that's  left  us  bankrupt  ?  " 

"We  could  accept  help  till  we're  strong  enough  to  strike 
out  for  ourselves,"  insisted  Polcher. 

"  The  man  who'd  sell  us  to  Spain  would  next  be  selling  us 
to  the  devil,"  Sevier  sharply  retorted.  "  As  for  strength,  we're 
strong  enough  now  to  send  a  red  ax  to  every  Indian  nation  in 
the  South  —  and  another  to  Charles  III." 

Polcher  knew  this  was  said  for  rhetorical  eSect  and  did 
not  represent  Sevier's  true  belief.  But  he  took  the  words 
seriously  and  argued : 

"  I  can't  see  that.  Other  men,  bigger  than  me,  can't  see 
it,  either." 

"  Meaning  Tonpit." 

"  You  named  him ;  not  me.  There  are  men  over  the  moun- 
tains, who  stand  very  high,  who  believe  it  would  be  our  salva- 
tion from  the  Western  Indians  if  we  had  Spain  at  our  back." 

"  Spain  at  our  back  today  means  Spain  at  our  throats 
tomorrow." 

"  Bosh !  Then  there  are  the  Northern  Indians.  When  you 
get  a  war-belt  from  Cherokee  and  Creek,  you'll  get  others 
from  the  Ohio  tribes.  Just  now  the  friendship  of  Piomingo, 
the  Chickasaw  chief,  for  Eobertson  holds  that  tribe  back. 
But  what  if  Robertson  dies  or  Piomingo  dies  ?  What  will  hold 
the  tribe  back  then?  And,  as  the  Chickasaws  go,  so  go  the 
Choctaws,  seven  thousand  in  round  numbers." 


FOR  WATAUGA  AND  AMERICA  79 

"  We  haven't  come  to  that  trail  yet/' 

"  But  it's  only  a  step  ahead.  How  can  the  Western  settle- 
ments get  anywhere  or  do  anything  under  the  present  Gov- 
ernment ?  We're  shut  oS  from  the  seaboard.  Spain  controls 
every  mile  of  the  Mississippi.  Our  tobacco  rots  on  the  ground. 
We're  hemmed  in.  If  we  accepted  Spain's  friendly  offer,  we 
could  ship  our  tobacco  down  the  Mississippi  and  sell  it  in 
jSI"ew  Orleans  for  ten  dollars  a  hundred.  Today  a  man's  lucky 
to  sell  any  of  his  crop  for  two  dollars  a  hundred.  And  so  it  is 
with  everything  else.  We've  everything  to  win  and  nothing 
to  lose." 

"  Polcher,  you're  a  dangerous  man,  the  most  dangerous 
man  on  the  border.  Your  trade-talk  will  catch  some  settlers 
who  are  honest  at  heart  but  who  only  think  of  selling  their 
tobacco.  You  have  other  lines  of  talk  to  win  over  the  man 
who  refuses  to  make  a  move  that  will  divide  or  weaken  the 
thirteen  States. 

"  ISTow  listen ;  I  know  you.  I  see  your  hand  in  the  death 
of  Old  Thatch.  I  understand  how  gladly  you'd  hear  that  the 
Cherokees  have  gone  to  water  as  a  nation.  I  can  picture  your 
joy  when  you  hear  Creek  and  Cherokee  have  taken  the  red 
path  together.  Now  this  will  surely  happen:  I  shall  kill 
you  if  I  can  prove  you're  working  to  throw  the  Western  settle- 
ments into  the  lap  of  Spain.  I  know  you're  doing  it,  and, 
when  I  can  prove  it  to  the  satisfaction  of  a  dozen  men  like 
Stetson,  you'll  swing." 

"  You  talk  big  about  killing  folks,"  snarled  Polcher.  "  Any 
more  threats  ?  " 

"  Only  this :  you  spoke  of  Piomingo's  friendship  for  Jim 
Robertson.  The  minute  I  hear  Piomingo  is  dead  I  start  out 
on  3'our  trail.  And  don't  figure  on  your  Cherokee  blood 
providing  you  a  hiding-place  in  that  nation.  I'd  dig  you  out 
even  if  you  were  hid  in  the  white  peace  town  of  Echota.  I 
have  spoken." 


80  EED  BELTS 

^^  Here  we  are ! "  called  out  Stetson.  "  Light  extry 
torches/' 

This  was  speedily  done,  and,  as  the  three  black  oaks  and 
the  clump  of  poplars  sprang  into  the  light,  the  men  took  up 
their  search  for  the  dead  Indian.  Polcher  was  most  zealous 
in  the  task,  and  Sevier  kept  close  by  him.  But,  although  the 
men  scattered  and  hunted  carefully,  and  although  the  glare 
of  the  torches  attracted  those  men  who  had  been  seeking 
Jackson,  no  trace  of  the  murdered  Creek  could  be  found. 

"  It's  mighty  queer,"  mused  Stetson,  rubbing  his  head  in 
perplexity.  "  If  the  Injun  was  killed,  he  wasn't  et  up  or 
burned  up.     But  where's  the  body  ?  " 

"  If  !  "  snarled  Polcher  in  great  disgust.  "  Didn't  you  see 
his  scalp  ?  " 

"  I've  seen  lots  of  Injun  hair,"  Stetson  quietly  replied. 
^'  I'm  beginning  to  think  that  partic'lar  hair  is  older'n  even  I 
thought  it  was.  One  thing's  sartain:  there  ain't  no  dead 
Injun  in  this  neck  of  the  woods." 

"  Of  course  the  murderer  hid  the  body,"  cried  Polcher,  now 
prepared  to  play  his  trump  card,  and  his  gaze  shifted  for  a 
second  to  the  pile  of  brush,  under  which,  as  Thatch  had  told 
him,  the  Indian  was  concealed. 

"  Not  if  he  chased  Thatch,  as  the  old  man  claimed,"  said 
one  of  the  searchers. 

"He  had  plenty  of  time  while  Thatch  was  hiding  in  the 
hollow  tree,"  Polcher  returned.  "  Ah !  I  wonder  if  this  hides 
anything ! " 

And  he  ran  to  the  pile  of  brush  and  cast  a  triumphant 
glance  at  Sevier. 

"  Now  perhaps  it  does,"  agreed  Sevier.  "  It's  so  exposed 
one  wouldn't  think  to  look  in  it.  The  murderer  probably 
thought  of  that." 

And  he  vied  with  Polcher  in  tearing  the  mound  to  pieces, 


FOR  WATAUGA  AND  AMERICA       81 

They  came  to  the  forest  floor  without  finding  any  trace  of  a 
corpse. 

Polcher  bit  his  lips  to  hide  his  rage.  He  knew  that  some 
one  had  forestalled  him;  he  wondered  if  it  could  be  Sevier. 
He  began  to  feel  uneasy  at  Sevier's  way  of  always  keeping  at 
his  side.  Chucky  Jack's  threat  to  hang  him  if  he  caught  him 
in  overt  treachery  suddenly  became  very  real,  and  he  mechan- 
ically felt  of  his  throat. 

Sevier  would  not  abandon  the  quest,  however,  and  insisted : 

"We  must  make  sure.  Let  us  all  spread  out  in  a  wide 
circle  and  gradually  work  in  to  this  spot.  Let  no  hollow  tree, 
pile  of  rocks  or  loose  brush  be  overlooked.  If  an  Indian  has 
been  killed,  a  most  serious  crime  has  been  committed  and  we 
may  find  ourselves  at  war  before  we  are  prepared." 

"  My  woman'll  be  crazy  if  I  don't  git  back,"  growled  Stet- 
son. "Job  Twill  as  much  as  said  he  didn't  know  an3'thing 
about  it.     Where's  Bert  Rice  and  Lon  Hester  ?  " 

The  two  names  were  shouted  repeatedly,  but  neither  of  the 
men  appeared.     Stetson  continued: 

"  They're  the  only  two  other  witnesses  known,  and  I  figger 
they  don't  know  any  more  than  Twill  did.  I'm  satisfied  no 
Injun's  been  killed." 

"  But  Old  Thatch  was  killed,"  cried  Polcher,  taking  a  step 
back.     "  There's  no  make  believe  about  that." 

"  That's  another  bar'el  of  cats,"  grunted  Stetson.  "  I'm 
going  home." 

"  Yes,  Thatch  was  killed.  But  if  no  Indian  was  slain  his 
story  must  have  been  a  case  of  too  much  liquor,"  murmured 
Sevier.  "  That  brings  us  back  to  the  question ;  who  killed 
liim  ?  " 

Polcher  was  alarmed.  Not  only  was  his  whole  scheme  tum- 
bling about  his  ears,  but  he  felt  death  in  the  night  air  and 
even  fancied  he  detected  Sevier  examining  the  dark  boughs 


82  BED  BELTS 

overhead  as  if  in  search  of  a  gallows  cross-beam.  He  cursed 
his  lust  for  personal  vengeance.  If  he  only  had  accused 
Thatch  of  the  crime !  Or  Hester !  Where  were  his  wits  that 
he  had  not  utilized  the  trick  for  disposing  of  Hester  ?  Hester 
was  becoming  a  nuisance,  and  it  was  only  a  question  of  time 
when  he  must  be  removed.  Used  as  an  ignorant  tool,  the 
fellow  had  assumed  such  airs  as  to  threaten  embarrassment  to 
the  plans  of  his  Majesty,  Charles  III. 

But  more  poignant  than  any  regrets  was  the  accumulating 
fear  of  the  unseen  counterplot.  He  knew  Thatch  had  stum- 
bled upon  a  dead  Indian.  And  some  one  had  concealed  the 
body.  He  began  to  doubt  his  own  perspicacity  and  to  imagine 
other  secret  plots  were  unfolding  to  hem  him  in.  For  the  first 
time  in  his  life  he  knew  what  it  was  to  tremble  on  the  edge 
of  a  panic.  With  a  sidelong  glance  he  saw  Sevier  was  watch- 
ing him  curiously.  With  a  mighty  effort  he  recovered  his  self- 
control  and  demanded : 

"  Let  no  one  go  back  until  we've  formed  the  circle  as  sug- 
gested by  Sevier.  Somewhere  near  here  is  the  dead  body  of 
an  Indian.     One  more  effort  before  we  cr}^  quits." 

He  seized  a  torch  and  led  the  way  deep  into  the  forest,  call- 
ing out  for  the  men  to  scatter  and  make  the  circle  complete. 
The  men  hesitated,  but,  as  Sevier  took  up  a  position  within  a 
rod  of  the  tavern-keeper,  they  grumbled  and  did  as  told,  even 
Stetson  changing  his  mind  and  participating  in  this,  the  last 
effort. 

"  All  ready  over  here,"  bellowed  Stetson. 

The  signal  was  repeated  until  it  had  run  round  the  circle, 
and  the  men  began  to  slowly  advance  toward  the  common 
centre.  Ostensibly  Sevier  searched  most  carefully,  but  always 
with  a  sidelong  glance  to  see  that  Polcher's  torch  was  on  his 
immediate  right.  As  the  men  worked  inward  they  came 
nearer  together,  but  it  was  not  until  they  were  but  a  few  rods 
from  the  three  oaks  that  Sevier  gave  a  low  exclamation  of 


FOE  WATAUGA  AND  AMERICA  83 

anger.  The  man  next  to  him  was  not  Polcher  hut  one  of  his 
tools. 

Seizing  him  by  the  shoulder  Sevier  fiercely  demanded  — 

"  Where's  your  master  ?  " 

Frightened,  the  man  did  not  speak  for  a  moment;  then  he 
faltered : 

"I  don't  know.  He  gave  me  his  torch  to  hold  while  he 
looked  under  some  brush." 

"  Every  one  scatter  and  look  for  Polcher !  "  roared  Chucky 
Jack.  "  I  charge  him  with  killing  Thatch.  The  job  was 
done  with  a  butcher-knife,  like  what  he  carries  under  his 
apron.  Stetson,  take  three  men  and  follow  me  on  the  jump. 
You  others  beat  the  woods  toward  the  settlement  and  come 
to  the  tavern." 

"  What's  on  your  mind  ?  "  asked  Stetson  as  he  raced  beside 
Sevier  up  the  trail. 

"  I  think  he'll  make  for  the  court-house.  To  get  that 
scalp ! " 

"  He's  lighting  out  ?  " 

"  He'll  be  hiding  among  the  Cherokees  by  morning." 

Nothing  more  was  said  until  they  reached  the  court-house. 
Then,  as  they  entered  and  by  the  stub  of  the  candle  beheld  the 
horn  of  ink  spilled  on  the  table  and  inky  finger-prints  on 
the  worthless  petition  and  top  of  the  table,  Sevier  quietly  an- 
nounced : 

"  He's  been  here  and  gone." 

"  And  he  took  the  scalp  I  "  cried  Stetson. 

Sevier  smiled  and  drew  it  from  his  hunting-shirt,  saying  — 

"  It  was  too  valuable  to  leave  behind." 

One  of  the  settlers  now  thrust  his  head  in  at  the  door 
and  informed : 

"  Polcher's  hoss  is  gone.  The  mulatter  says  he  come  an' 
got  a  pile  of  money  from  a  hiding-place  under  the  bar.  He's 
lit  out  jest  as  ye  thought." 


84  RED  BELTS 

Others  now  came  up,  and  from  the  doorway  Sevier  ad- 
dressed them,  saying: 

"  My  friends,  it's  all  over.  Polcher's  gone,  showing  that  he 
killed  Thatch.  There's  nothing  more  you  can  do  except  to 
choose  a  guard  to  keep  the  trash  out  of  the  tavern.  The  men 
on  guard  are  to  find  and  keep  for  me  all  papers  in  the  tavern. 
The  rest  of  you  go  home  to  your  families.  Stetson,  you 
stay  here  for  a  bit.'' 

After  the  men  had  departed,  Sevier  thrust  the  scalp  through 
a  crack  in  the  floor  and  poked  it  with  the  point  of  his  knife 
until  it  entirely  disappeared.     Then  to  Stetson  he  directed : 

"  Send  a  messenger  to  Kate,  telling  her  from  me  that  I 
shaVt  be  home  until  I  come.  She'll  understand.  Send 
other  messengers  in  my  name  warning  the  border  to  be  ready 
to  ride  to  me  wherever  I  may  be.  See  that  Thatch  is  decently 
buried.  If  young  Jackson  turns  up,  tell  him  he'd  better  wait 
here  till  I  get  back.  He  was  mixed  up  in  a  way  he  never 
dreamed  of.  I  sent  him  to  Polcher's.  Can't  tell  you  now; 
no  time.  But  he  acted  under  my  orders.  They  jumped  him ; 
I  wasn't  there,  and  he  took  to  cover.  Tell  the  boys  he's  thor- 
oughly innocent.  I  couldn't  tell  them  tonight  without  show- 
ing Polcher  I  knew  his  game.  I  had  to  let  him  have  rope; 
now  he's  got  enough  to  swing  on." 

"  You're  going  away,  John  ?  " 

"  I  start  inside  of  ten  minutes,  as  soon  as  I  can  get  my 
horse.  If  alive  I'll  be  back  when  the  delegates  arrive  to  settle 
our  new  form  of  government.  If  I'm  not  back,  you  will  ask 
Judge  David  Campbell  to  take  the  lead.  Now  go,  and  don't 
forget  the  messenger  to  Kate." 

"  You're  sure  —  quite  sure  you  can't  take  me  along,  John  ?  " 
begged  Stetson. 

"  Not  this  time,  old  friend.  I  ride  far,  and  I  must  ride 
hard,  and  I  must  ride  alone." 

"  Then  God  be  with  you  !  " 


FOR  WATAUGA  AND  AMERICA       85 

"  May  He  be  with  Watauga  —  with  America !  "  softly  added 
Sevier. 

He  wrote  a  few  words  and  handed  them  to  Stetson  saying : 

"  A  few  lines  to  Judge  Campbell  if  I'm  not  here.  Now, 
good  night." 

Their  hands  met,  and  Stetson  reluctantly  departed. 

Sevier  caught  up  his  weapons  from  behind  the  table  and 
hastened  to  his  horse  corraled  back  of  the  court-house.  As  he 
threw  on  the  saddle  he  told  the  intelligent  animal : 

"  Tonpit  and  Polcher  are  ahead  of  us,  old  boy.  We've 
got  to  kill  Polcher  and  head  Tonpit  off.  Neither  must  reach 
Little  Talassee.  If  we  can  steal  Miss  Elsie,  then  Tonpit's  er- 
rand is  spoiled.  McGillivray  won't  trust  him  till  he  has  the 
girl  as  a  hostage.'^ 


CHAPTER  V 

THE  ANCIENT   LAW 

ALL  over-mountain  men  rode  well,  and  their  mounts 
were  the  envy  of  both  red  and  white  thieves.  Among 
the  saddle-bred,  however,  Chucky  Jack  was  given  the 
palm.  Until  he  reached  the  French  Broad,  he  spurred  along 
openly,  sticking  to  the  trail.  The  occasional  settlers  he  en- 
countered invariably  caught  up  their  arms  and  made  for  their 
horses,  only  to  be  told  their  leader  rode  alone.  After  cross- 
ing the  river  the  little  clearings  were  more  scattered  and  the 
approach  of  the  rider  brought  the  gaunt  border-men  to  sharp 
attention,  rifles  ready,  until  he  shouted  his  name. 

Once  south  of  the  Broad  he  traversed  a  land  where  Death 
stalked  abreast  of  each  passing  minute  and  the  husbandman 
worked  with  his  rifle  at  his  side  and  the  children  were  taught 
not  to  stray  from  the  cabin  door.  For  this  was  the  ragged 
edge  of  Western  life,  where  the  first  threads  would  be  unrav- 
eled should  the  red  scourge  essay  to  tear  its  way  to  the  moun- 
tains. On  the  right  of  the  Great  War-Path  were  scattered 
the  homes  of  the  Holston  folks,  a  tense,  grim  people  waiting 
for  what  the  next  hour  might  bring  them. 

Once  below  the  rough  parallelogram  formed  by  the  Wa- 
tauga, the  Holston  and  the  Xolichucky,  the  horseman  had  left 
the  settlements  behind  him  and  rode  more  circumspectly. 
The  site  of  what  was  to  be  Knoxville  would  not  receive  its  first 
visit  from  white  men,  James  White  and  James  Connor,  for 
another  three  years.     A  tavern  and  a  court-house  marked  the 

beginning  of  Greeneville.     Below  this  "  settled  ^'  area  were  a 

86 


THE  AN-CIENT  LAW  87 

• 

few  ^^  stations/'  as  the  blockhouses  were  called,  consisting  of 
the  usual  stockade  inclosing  a  few  small  cabins.  Invariably 
these  cases  of  civilization  were  girt  about  by  the  primeval 
forests. 

"  Sevier  rides  alone ! "  was  the  word  flashed  from  clearing 
to  clearing  on  both  sides  of  the  Great  Trail,  and  men  won- 
dered, and  women  called  the  children  indoors  and  stoically 
awaited  the  result  of  the  wild  gallop. 

For  Chucky  Jack,  their  idol,  was  not  given  to  racing  into 
the  wilderness  unless  spurred  on  by  the  imperative. 

At  the  Tellico  crossing  Sevier  met  a  frightened  hunter  who 
said  he  had  seen  a  white  man,  riding  like  mad. 

"  Was  there  a  girl  with  him  ?  "  asked  Sevier. 

'No;  he  was  alone,  it  seemed. 

With  a  word  of  thanks  Sevier  warned : 

"  Get  back  to  the  Broad !  This  country  won't  be  safe  for 
any  honest  white  man."  And  with  a  prick  of  the  spur  he 
was  darting  away. 

At  times  he  avoided  small  bands  of  Cherokees,  but  these 
were  not  overwatchful  as  none  dreamed  of  a  white  man  so  far 
within  their  country.  When  near  the  Hiwassee,  the  borderer 
drew  aside  and  sought  a  ford  farther  to  the  west  of  the  regular 
crossing.  Eiver-crossings  were  the  favourite  haunts  of  those 
younger  Cherokees  who  refused  to  heed  the  council  of  pacific 
elders. 

Now,  too,  each  mile  of  the  way  brought  Sevier  that  much 
nearer  to  the  lower  towns  on  the  Tennessee,  where  the  motley 
hordes  of  white  refugees,  Shawnee  outcasts.  Creeks  fleeing 
tribal  punishment,  as  well  as  turbulent  Cherokees,  held  the 
towns  of  Nickajack,  Crow  Town,  Long  Island,  Lookout  Moun- 
tain and  Running  Water.  Implacable  hatred  for  the  whites 
was  the  occasion  of  these  villages,  and  from  them  radiated  an 
atmosphere  of  hostility  that  no  number  of  peace  talks  could 
soften. 


88  RED  BELTS 

It  was  while  seeking  a  ford  that  Sevier  came  upon  some- 
thing that  furrowed  his  brows  and  caused  him  to  examine  his 
weapons.  It  was  a  soiled  apron,  thrown  on  a  bush.  It 
marked  the  passing  of  Polcher,  and  it  openly  advertised  his 
identity  to  any  passing  savage.  Its  presence  wxst  of  the  reg- 
ular ford  told  Sevier  the  man  was  hastening  to  the  lower 
towns,  where  the  Chickamaugas  under  Watts  and  Dragging 
Canoe  would  respond  promptly  to  his  urging  for  immediate 
war. 

It  revealed  the  cunning  of  the  man,  for,  had  he  paused  to 
win  over  Old  Tassel's  people  in  the  eastern  villages,  he  would 
have  lost  valuable  time  and  laid  himself  open  to  discovery  by 
a  pursuing  posse  of  settlers. 

"  He  strikes  for  headquarters  of  the  war  faction,"  Sevier 
told  himself.  "  Let  him  go.  They  can  do  nothing  without 
the  aid  of  the  Creeks.  My  path  lies  south  of  Lookout  Moun- 
tain town  to  the  Coosa.  All  I  ask  is  that  I  may  overtake  the 
Tonpits." 

His  rapid,  stealthy  flight,  his  evasion  of  all  villages  mini- 
mized his  chances  of  picking  up  Tonj)it's  trail.  But,  knowing 
the  couple  were  safe  in  the  Cherokee  countrj^  and  convinced 
they  w^ere  making  for  McGillivray's  town  on  the  Coosa,  he 
had  planned  to  press  forward  with  all  speed  to  the  head  of  the 
river  below  the  Chickamauga  towns  and  there  endeavour  to  in- 
tercept the  two.  If  luck  were  with  him,  he  would  accomplish 
this  before  Polcher  had  finished  his  talk  with  AYatts. 

Dismounting,  he  studied  the  faint  trail  left  by  Polcher's 
horse  and  decided  it  was  at  least  twenty-four  hours  old.  This 
lead  was  in  part  represented  by  the  tavern-keeper's  hurried 
flight  from  Jonesboro  and  in  part  by  his  freedom  to  ride  post- 
haste by  the  shortest  route  regardless  of  villages.  On  the 
whole  Sevier  was  much  pleased  with  his  own  progress,  for  he 
had  been  compelled  to  make  detours  and  to  dodge  roving  bands 
of  savages. 


THE  ANCIENT  LAW  89 

He  followed  the  trail  to  the  river  and  studied  the  opposite 
side  with  care.  There  was  no  sign  of  life  except  a  liuliu,  or 
yellow  mocking-bird.  High  in  the  heavens  floated  the 
awaliili,  the  great  sacred  bird  of  the  Cherokees,  the  war-eagle. 
The  superstitious  would  have  found  an  ill  omen  in  the  eagle's 
course  toward  the  Chickamauga  towns. 

Its  white  tail-feathers  tipped  with  black  would  buy  the  best 
horse  in  any  village.  It  could  be  killed  only  after  the  crops 
had  been  gathered  and  the  snakes  had  denned  for  Winter,  just 
as  the  eagle  songs  must  not  be  sung  until  the  snakes  were 
asleep.  But  Sevier  was  not  superstitious,  and,  if  he  found 
any  symbol  in  the  great  bird's  majestic  flight,  it  prompted 
him  to  picture  the  expansion  of  a  mighty  nation  toward  the 
western  sun. 

Taking  his  horse  b}^  the  bridle  he  waded  into  the  ford  and 
the  mocking-bird  darted  away.  He  was  hoping  no  Indian  had 
seen  the  songster's  fright  when  there  sounded  behind  him  the 
clicTc  of  a  rifle  being  cocked.  He  stopped  with  the  water 
swirling  about  his  knees  and  looked  back.  A  glance  sufficed 
to  tell  him  his  plight  was  hopeless  did  he  offer  resistance. 
Fully  a  dozen  warriors  were  on  the  bank  with  rifles  aimed. 

Turning  and  leading  his  horse  back  to  them,  Sevier  com- 
plained — 

"  When  a  Cherokee  brings  a  talk  to  Tsan-usdi  he  is  not 
met  with  a  pointed  gun." 

One  of  the  warriors  met  him  as  he  came  out  of  the  river 
and  relieved  him  of  his  rifle  and  belt  and  significantly  re- 
plied — 

"  They  say  that  when  a  Cherokee  went  to  see  Little  John 
he  left  his  scalp." 

Eyes  flashed,  and  bronzed  hands  played  with  knife  and 
ax  at  the  speech.  Sevier  knew  Polcher  had  begun  spreading 
his  poisonous  tale  and  that  by  this  time  the  story  was  radiating 
tlirough  the  wilderness,  village  after  village  catching  it  up  and 


90  RED  BELTS 

passing  it  on.     Like  magic  would  the  news  spread  throughout 
the  nation. 

"  By  the  lips  of  a  Cherokee  himself  you  shall  learn  that  it  is 
a  lie.  None  of  your  brothers  has  been  harmed  in  Jonesboro 
where  the  Cherokee  talks  are  brought  to  me/'  quietly  an- 
swered Sevier.     "^Tio  commands  here?" 

"  We  follow  John  Watts/'  sullenly  replied  the  warrior. 

"  Chickamaugas,  hopelessly  hostile/'  Sevier  inwardly  ex- 
claimed. Then  aloud,  "  Where  is  he  ?  I  bring  him  a  talk. 
I  have  come  fast  as  the  wind  to  see  him." 

He  is  near.     You  shall  see  him/'  was  the  grim  reply. 
Then  do  not  keep  me  waiting/'  was  the  brusque  command. 
And  the  borderer  leaped  on  his  horse. 

The  Indians  feared  him  as  they  had  never  feared  white  or 
red  man,  and,  although  he  was  unarmed  and  greatly  outnum- 
bered, they  kept  their  distance  and  nervously  covered  him  with 
their  guns  as  if  fearing  some  magic.  The  temporary  leader 
of  the  band  went  ahead  and  frequently  glanced  back  to  make 
sure  Chucky  Jack  was  not  too  close  to  his  heels. 

Sevier  whistled  softly,  outwardly  calm  and  indifferent.  As 
a  fact,  he  would  have  preferred  that  almost  any  other  man 
than  Watts  should  be  ahead  of  him.  He  had  fought  Watts 
and  whipped  him,  but  he  respected  him  for  his  courage  and 
shrewdness.  He  considered  him  the  most  astute  of  all  the 
Cherokee  leaders,  the  one  chief  destined  to  succeed  Old  Tassel. 
Watts  was  hopelessly  belligerent,  where  Old  Tassel  sought  to 
gain  his  ends  by  trickery  and  diplomacy. 

'^  Where  is  Tall  Runner  ?  "  Sevier  sharply  called  out  to  the 
warrior  ahead. 

"Ask  those  who  laid  down  the  Black  Path  for  his  feet  to 
follow  to  the  Twilight  Land/'  was  the  ominous  answer. 

"  Tall  Runner  will  come  to  give  you  the  lie/'  coolly  declared 
Sevier.  "  He  has  not  gone  to  the  ever-darkening  land  in  the 
west." 


THE  ANCIENT  LAW  91 

The  savages'  firm  belief  in  the  warrior's  demise  set  the  bor- 
derer to  wondering,  however.  What  if  Polcher  had  over- 
taken Tall  Runner  ?  It  might  easil}^  have  happened  that  the 
fleeing  horseman  had  come  upon  Old  Tassel's  messenger. 
And,  had  it  happened,  Sevier  hadn't  the  slightest  doubt  con- 
cerning the  tavern-keeper's  readiness  to  slay  the  man  and 
blame  his  death  on  Jonesboro.  He  suddenly  decided  that  his 
life  was  most  critically  in  the  balance. 

"The  soul  of  Tall  Runner  turns  to  nothing.  It  becomes 
blue,"  chanted  the  warrior  ahead,  his  voice  taking  on  the  in- 
tonation of  a  shaman. 

Sevier  held  his  tongue,  knowing  his  fight  must  be  waged 
with  Chief  Watts.  In  silence  the  party  passed  up  the  bank 
for  a  mile  and  then  crossed  and  struck  into  a  well-beaten  path 
and  turned  northwest.  Another  mile  and  they  came  to  a  vil- 
lage. The  habitations  were  substantial  log  structures  sur- 
rounding a  council-house.  Evidently  it  was  a  prosperous  vil- 
lage, for  hogs  and  fowls  wandered  about  in  large  numbers, 
and  many  horses  grazed  on  the  outskirts.  Gardens  of  beans 
and  corn  flourished  between  potato-fields  and  fields  of  squash. 
/\.long  the  edge  of  the  clearing  stretched  peach  orchards. 

Women  engaged  in  basketry  and  pottery  ceased  their  labours 
as  Sevier  was  brought  in,  then  pretended  not  to  have  seen  him 
and  bowed  over  their  work. 

A  little  girl,  carrying  a  milk-tooth  by  a  string  and  intent  on 
replacing  it  by  the  time-honoured  custom  of  invoking  dayi,  the 
beaver,  famous  for  his  strong  teeth,  came  running  round  a 
cabin.  She  shrilly  cried  out  four  times,  " Dayi  skinta'' 
("Beaver,  put  a  new  tooth  in  my  jaw")  and  completed  the 
formula  by  throwing  the  tooth  on  the  parental  roof.  Not  see- 
ing Sevier  because  of  her  excitement,  she  bumped  into  him  as 
he  leaped  to  the  ground. 

Her  terrified  squeal  was  hushed  as  Chucky  Jack  caught  her 
up  and  smiled  into  her  little  face.     He  patted  her  head  and 


92  RED  BELTS 

fished  out  a  small  trade  mirror  from  his  hunting-shirt  and 
pressed  it  into  her  hand  and  earnestly  assured: 

"  The  Gnawer  will  give  you  a  new  tooth  very  soon.  Look 
in  this  each  morning,  and  some  morning  you  will  see  iV 

With  that  he  set  her  on  her  feet.  She  opened  her  mouth 
to  bleat  in  fear  but  caught  a  glimpse  of  her  face  in  the  mirror 
and  smiled  and  decided  there  was  nothing  to  be  afraid  of. 
Neither  warrior  nor  squaw  gave  any  sign  of  having  noticed  the 
little  incident,  but  among  the  women  looks  were  exchanged  as 
the  great  borderer  was  conducted  to  the  council-house.  And 
more  than  one  mother  whispered  in  awe  — 

"  Tsan-usdi ! '' 

Ignoring  the  cane-benches,  which  were  reserved  for  the  head 
men,  Sevier  threw  himself  down  on  a  bearskin  and  curtly  de- 
manded : 

"  AATiere  is  John  Watts  ?    Do  not  keep  me  waiting." 

Fear  and  respect  dominated  his  captors,  and  the  leader 
replied : 

"  He  will  be  here  soon.  A  messenger  has  gone  for  him. 
He  rode  early  this  morning  and  should  now  be  coming  back." 

"  Do  not  keep  me  waiting,"  Sevier  repeated. 

The  warriors  withdrew  and  took  up  positions  about  the 
council-house.  As  the  leader  passed  out,  he  reached  to  one 
side  and  caught  up  something  and  carried  it  before  him,  but 
not  before  Sevier  recognized  it  as  a  large  soapstone  pipe.  His 
features  changed  none,  yet  the  warrior's  stealthy  act  in  with- 
drawing the  pipe  kept  alive  his  sense  of  danger.  The  re- 
moval of  the  pipe  had  two  significances:  it  had  been  used 
in  cementing  a  peace  pact;  and  it  was  not  to  be  offered  to 
Sevier. 

"  The  Creeks  came  here  hotfoot  on  learning  the  Watauga 
settlements  had  been  ceded  to  the  central  Government  and  are 
no  longer  under  Carolina's  jurisdiction.  Watts  has  struck  a 
bargain  with  McGillivray,"  Sevier  quickly  deduced. 


THE  AXCIENT  LAW  93 

Half  an  hour  passed  with  the  village  remaining  very  quiet. 
Then  sounded  a  slight  confusion,  and  the  prisoner  knew  Chief 
Watts  had  returned.  The  low  murmur  of  voices  suddenly 
ceased.  The  little  girl  wishing  the  new  tooth  shyly  thrust  her 
head  through  the  door  and  invited  the  stranger  to  confidences 
and  more  gifts.  A  strong  hand  gently  lifted  her  away;  then 
Chief  Watts,  arrayed  for  hunting  but  carrying  no  weapons 
except  the  knife  in  his  belt,  entered  the  room,  followed  by  a 
file  of  head  men. 

"  I  greet  you.  Little  John,''  he  gravely  saluted  as  he  seated 
himself  on  a  bench. 

"  You  have  kept  me  waiting,'^  rebuked  Sevier. 

Watts'  beady  eyes  flickered  a  tribute  to  Sevier's  nerve,  and 
with  ironical  meekness  he  replied : 

•^  I  am  sorry.  As  soon  as  I  knew  you  were  here,  I  came. 
What  is  your  business  so  far  inside  the  Cherokee  country  ?  " 

"  I  seek  a  murderer,  a  white  man.  I  have  no  time  to  waste. 
Three  thousand  riflemen  will  misunderstand  my  absence  and 
come  searching  for  me  if  I  do  not  get  back  to  them." 

The  warriors  fidgeted  uneasily  at  this  threat.  Chief  Watts' 
visage  became  malignant,  and  he  hissed  — 

"  It  would  have  been  better  for  you  if  you  had  brought  your 
riflemen  with  you." 

"  It  will  be  much  worse  for  the  Cherokee  Xation  if  I  do  not 
return,"  was  the  prompt  reply. 

"  That  is  as  it  will  be,"  rumbled  the  cliief.  "  I  ask  you 
why  vou  or  some  of  your  men  killed  Tall  Eunner  of  the 
Wolf." 

"  A  renegade  brought  you  that  lie.  You  know  it  is  a  lie," 
Sevier  calmly  retorted. 

Watts  half  rose  with  hand  on  knife,  then  sank  back  on  the 
bench.     Sevier  continued  — 

"  The  man  who  told  you  that  is  a  murderer  and  the  man 
I  am  after." 


94  EED  BELTS 

"  He  killed  Tall  Runner  ?  "  sneered  Watts. 

"He  killed  a  white  man.  No  one  killed  Tall  Eunner. 
There  is  peace  between  the  Little  Tennessee  towns  and  the 
Watauga  settlements.  Tall  Eunner  was  a  messenger  from 
Old  Tassel,  who  is  our  friend.  Why  should  we  kill  him? 
The  Eunner  brought  me  talk  from  Old  Tassel  about  a  grand 
council.  I  sent  a  talk  back  to  him,  saying  I  would  meet  him 
and  all  friendly  Cherokees  in  council  and  settle  the  trouble 
about  the  settlers  moving  on  to  the  lands  south  of  the  French 
Broad." 

No  such  talk  was  brought  to  me/'  said  Watts. 
That  is  for  Old  Tassel  to  look  after.     Perhaps  he  knows 
you  already  have  made  a  treaty  with  the  Creeks ;  that  you  want 
war  against  the  whites.'' 

"  Why  do  you  say  such  things  ?  "  cried  Watts. 

"  Why  do  you  hide  the  white  peace-pipe  when  I'm  brought 
here  ?  The  pipe  you  have  just  smoked  with  the  chiefs  sent  by 
McGillivray  ?  " 

"  It  is  false.  My  people  do  not  want  war  with  the  whites. 
They  only  ask  to  have  back  the  lands  they  always  held  from 
the  beginning  of  things,  the  lands  the  whites  have  stolen  from 
them." 

"  It  is  true  you  have  made  a  bargain  with  McGillivray. 
You  are  a  renegade  Cherokee.  You  lead  the  Ghickamaugas. 
You  have  Shawnees  in  your  cabins,  bad  Indians  who  dare  not 
go  home  to  their  Ohio  brothers.  Beware,  John  Watts.  The 
Chickamauga  towns  have  been  burned  once.  The  fire  is  kin- 
dled that  will  burn  from  Crown  Town  to  Eunning  Water." 

"  Who  will  lead  the  Watauga  men  when  they  bring  that 
fire  ?  "  hoarsely  asked  the  chief,  his  bronzed  chest  rising  and 
falling  spasmodically  as  he  fought  to  retain  his  self-control, 
to  keep  his  hand  off  his  knife. 

"  Nolichucky  Jack  will  lead  them,"  was  the  even  response. 

"  Little  John,  you  are  said  to  have  killed  a  man  of  the  Wolf. 


THE  AXCIENT  LAW  .  95 

Were  you  many  times  Chucky  Jack  you  should  die/'  Watts 
passionately  declared. 

"  If  it  is  proved  I  killed  him,  or  that  he  was  killed  by  any 
of  my  men,  I  will  shoot  myself,''  Sevier  readily  promised. 
*'  But,  if  he  is  alive,  you  will  be  sorry  you  held  me  here.  If  he 
has  been  killed  on  Cherokee  land  by  Polcher,  the  murderer, 
then  I  demand  that  Polcher  be  handed  over  to  me  to  be 
hanged.     After  he  is  dead  you  can  have  his  scalp." 

The  warriors  along  the  cane-benches  stirred  and  twisted  un- 
easily at  these  bold  words,  and  more  than  one  began  consider- 
ing the  possibility  of  there  being  any  truth  in  the  intimation 
that  the  tavern-keeper  was  the  assassin.  Chief  Watts  was 
quick  to  note  the  disturbing  effect  of  the  borderer's  speech  and 
loudly  proclaimed: 

"  Our  shamans  have  looked  into  the  Great  Crystal  and  have 
seen  you  and  the  Tall  Runner  facing  each  other  with  a  bloody 
knife  between  you,  the  point  at  the  Eunner's  breast.  And  the 
Tall  Eunner  has  not  come." 

"  jSTo  shaman  has  seen  me  in  the  Ulunsuti  as  vou  tell," 
Sevier  denied,  his  serene  countenance  belying  his  conviction 
that  Watts  was  determined  to  remove  him  from  the  path  of 
Spain  and  was  prepared  to  use  the  shamans  in  order  to  still 
any  protest  from  Old  Tassel. 

Watts  rose  and  extended  his  hand,  shaking  a  finger  dra- 
matically at  Sevier,  fiercely  demanding  — 

"  You  dare  to  say  a  Cherokee  was  not  killed  and  scalped  at 
Jonesboro  a  few  days  ago;  that  you  did  not  hold  a  council 
in  vour  council-house  and  saw  the  raw  scalp  placed  before 
you  ?  " 

Now  Sevier  knew  for  a  certainty  that  Polcher  was  near  and 
had  told  his  story  to  the  lower  towns.  Nor  did  Sevier  care  to 
explain  that  a  Creek  had  been  killed,  and  not  a  Cherokee; 
for  that  news,  relayed  to  McGillivray,  would  bring  even 
greater  evil.     He  was  forced  to  believe  Watts  was  sincere  in 


96  BED  BELTS 

considering  Tall  Runner  dead.  The  messenger's  failure  to 
return  home  was  alarming.  He  found  one  slim  hope  to  cling 
to :  Tall  Eunner  had  started  from  one  of  the  Little  Tennessee 
towns  and  had  returned  there.  During  his  absence  Old  Tassel 
had  set  out  on  a  journey  and  the  Eunner  had  not  yet  caught 
up  with  him. 

"  After  Tall  Eunner  gave  me  his  talk  and  had  received 
mine  and  was  ready  to  start  back,  I  told  the  settlers  of 
Jonesboro  I  would  hang  the  man  who  crossed  his  homeward 
trail.  And  they  know  Chucky  Jack  keeps  his  word,"  Sevier 
declared. 

TV^atts  seemed  impressed  and  remained  silent  for  several 
moments,  his  head  bowed.  Then  he  rose  and  with  racial  dig- 
nity said : 

"  I  will  send  a  runner  to  find  Old  Tassel  to  see  if  anything 
new  has  been  heard  from  his  messenger.  But  if  the  Chero- 
kees  should  find  their  red  brother  had  been  killed  and  scalped 
—  just  as  it  is  now  believed  in  this  village  that  he  dwells  where 
it  is  ever  growing  dark  —  and  if  Little  John  should  be  asked 
to  cover  the  dead  with  his  blood,  who  is  there  to  become  angry 
and  make  war-medicine  against  us  ?  " 

"  My  riflemen  know  how  and  when  to  make  war-medicine.'' 

"  Little  birds  whisper  that  they  can  do  nothing  without  a 
leader;  that  their  minds  are  in  many  pieces,  some  crying  for 
Spain  to  buy  their  tobacco,  some  saying  they  will  make  them- 
selves into  a  new  nation  and  have  done  with  Chucky  Jack,  who 
plans  to  join  the  Thirteen  Fires  (thirteen  States)." 

Sevier  folded  his  arms  and  stared  over  the  chief's  head. 
Watts  continued : 

"  It  can  not  be  that  North  Carolina  will  be  angry  if  the 
spirit  of  Tsan-usdi  travels  to  the  spirit  land  in  the  West,  for 
Carolina  has  driven  him  from  her  cabin.  The  Thirteen  Fires 
will  not  ask  presents  for  his  death,  for  the  Thirteen  Fires  are 
made  of  green  wood  and  give  more  smoke  than  flame  and  will 


THE  ANCIENT  LAW  97 

soon  die  out.  The  Thirteen  Fires  are  not  like  fires ;  thev  are 
like  an  old  man  without  legs  to  run  on,  without  hands  to  lift 
the  ax,  like  an  old  man  who  can  only  open  his  mouth  and  make 
foolish  sounds." 

With  the  quickness  of  a  released  steel  spring  Sevier  came  to 
his  feet,  and,  before  a  savage  could  guess  his  purpose,  he  had 
Watts'  scalp-lock  in  his  left  hand  and  Watts'  knife  in  his  right 
and  in  a  low,  vibrant  voice  was  warning : 

"  I  am  an  American.  Say  what  you  will  about  the  Wa- 
tauga, about  Carolina.  But,  by  the  white  man's  God,  an- 
other black  word  against  the  Thirteen  Fires  and  ITl  empty 
your  flesh  of  blood !  " 

They  stood  breast  to  breast,  their  eyes  fighting  the  old,  old 
battle,  with  no  warrior  daring  to  move  for  fear  of  precipitat- 
ing a  tragedy.  Nor  was  there  any  cowardice  in  Watts'  bear- 
ing when  he  finally  broke  the  tense  silence  by  saying : 

"  Little  John  of  the  Xolichucky  is  a  brave  man.  The  Great 
Spirit  has  caused  him  to  be  so." 

Sevier  stepped  back  and,  holding  the  knife  by  the  tip,  ex- 
tended it,  saying: 

"  My  medicine  is  strong  without  this.  John  Watts  would 
be  a  great  man  if  he  did  not  listen  to  the  evil  talks  sent  him 
by  Alexander  McGillivray." 

"  You  would  not  say  these  things  to  McGillivray  of  the 
Creeks." 

"All,  and  more.  Xow  I  demand  to  see  the  man  Polcher, 
who  killed  a  white  man." 

"  You  shall  see  him,"  quietly  promised  the  chief. 

And  with  a  deep  bow  Watts  dropped  the  knife  in  his  belt 
and  led  his  warriors  from  the  room. 

Sevier  knew  enough  of  the  Indian  character  to  realize  that 
never  had  he  stood  as  high  in  Chief  Watts'  estimation  as  now. 
This  knowledge  deceived  him  none  as  to  his  danger,  however. 
Even  if  Polcher  should  fail  to  erase  this  last  impression,  the 


98  RED  BELTS 

chief  would  persist  in  believing  the  future  of  his  race  depended 
on  the  elimination  of  all  white  settlements  west  of  the  Alle- 
ghanies.  To  preserve  his  people  he  would  use  whatever  tools 
came  at  hand,  whether  furnished  by  Creek,  Spaniard  or  the 
Evil  One  himself. 

Now  that  the  over-mountain  men  were  disowned  and  told 
to  find  a  guardian  in  the  handicapped  central  Government,  the 
wilv  leader  realized  the  Cherokee  Nation  stood  at  the  threshold 
of  its  destiny.  Sevier  represented  the  element  opposing  the 
red  man's  ascendancy;  therefore,  he  must  be  removed.  No 
man  had  ever  been  more  highly  esteemed  by  the  Indians  as  a 
fighter,  and  the  full  measure  of  praise  would  be  given  him 
even  while  the  sentence  of  death  was  being  carried  out. 
Sevier  had  found  this  recognition  of  merit  to  be  a  character- 
istic of  every  Indian  tribe  with  which  he  had  had  dealings. 
Torture  and  the  torments  of  hell  would  be  accompanied  by 
the  sincere  acknowledgment  of  the  victim's  virtues. 

Sevier  stepped  to  a  window  and  noticed  the  guard  on  that 
side  had  been  withdrawn.  A  similar  inspection  on  the  other 
three  sides  revealed  the  same  negligence.  But  the  borderer 
was  not  to  be  decoyed  into  imagining  he  could  escape  to  the 
forest  by  a  sudden  rush.  He  knew  he  was  circled  about  by 
sharp  weapons  and  sharper  eyes  and  that,  should  he  attempt 
to  escape,  he  would  be  despatched  off-hand.  Such  an  ending 
of  his  captivity  would  relieve  Watts  from  any  censure  on  the 
part  of  Old  Tassel  and  his  faction. 

Leaning  from  an  open  window,  Sevier  found  the  invitation 
to  attempt  an  escape  was  accented  by  the  absence  of  even  the 
women  and  children.  The  village  appeared  to  be  deserted. 
He  smiled  grimly  at  such  a  transparent  ruse.  He  had  fought 
too  many  times  with  the  nation,  had  whipped  it  too  often,  to 
imagine  the  warriors  would  neglect  any  oversight  that  would 
insure  his  captivity.  And  yet  the  manoeuvre  made  him  think 
more  kindly  of  Watts.     The  chief  fought  for  the  future  of  his 


THE  AXCIEXT  LAW  99 

people;  he  preferred  to  remove  the  stumbling-block  in  the 
council-house  without  brutality. 

There  was  something  in  the  drowsy  atmosphere  of  the  vil- 
lage that  was  reminiscent  of  James  Robertson's  last  visit  to 
his  home  on  the  Nolichucky.  The  fancy  was  absurd  and  yet 
persisted ;  something  that  now  thrilled  him  with  a  promise  of 
succour,  and  yet  too  vaguely  remembered  to  take  a  tangible 
form  in  his  thoughts.  He  forced  his  recollections  over  the 
back  trail.  He  recalled  the  evening.  He  could  see  Robertson 
at  the  table,  talking.  Then  there  flashed  across  the  sensitive 
screen  of  his  memory  the  words : 

Then  Moses  severed  three  cities  on  this  side  Jordan  toward  the 
simrising;  that  the  slayer  might  flee  thither,  which  should  kill  his 
neighbour  unawares,  and  hated  him  not  in  times  past;  and  that 
fleeing  unto  one  of  these  cities  he  might  live. 

Xow  he  had  it  through  the  seeming  irrelevancy  of  some 
passages  of  Scripture.  Robertson  had  been  to  Echota,  and 
had  spoken  of  it  as  a  ^^  white/'  or  "  peace  "  town.  Sevier  had 
summoned  it  back  to  mind  through  the  association  of  ideas. 
The  Cherokees  had  degenerated  in  other  matters,  but  they 
still  held  strictly  to  their  ancient  law  and  vouchsafed  a  refuge 
to  the  murderer  w^hich  was  even  more  liberal  than  that  set 
forth  in  Deuteronomy.  For,  while  Moses  had  stipulated  that 
wilful  or  premeditated  homicide  placed  the  offender  outside 
the  pale  of  sanctuary  on  the  east  side  of  Jordan,  the  old 
Cherokee  law  protected  even  the  wilful  slayer  once  he  gained 
Echota. 

Sevier  knew  a  trader,  a  white  man,  who  had  demanded  and 
secured  sanctuary  at  Echota  after  slaying  an  Indian  in  de- 
fence of  his  goods.  This  man  had  even  been  warned  by  the 
chiefs  that  he  would  be  waj'laid  and  killed  on  his  way  home 
unless  he  first  appeased  the  dead  man's  relatives  with  gifts. 
Sixteen  years  back  Oconostota,  speaking  for  the  Cherokee  i^a- 


100  EED  BELTS 

tion  at  Johnson  Hall  on  the  Mohawk,  in  the  course  of  making 
peace  with  the  Iroquois,  had  said  — 

"  We  come  from  Chotte,  where  the  white  house,  the  house 
of  peace,  is  erected." 

But  this  was  not  Echota,  and  yet  the  vague  promise  of  help 
persisted  in  the  borderer's  mind.  Then  there  walked  through 
his  thoughts  the  figure  of  a  Frenchman,  who  had  visited  him 
at  Jonesboro,  having  come  from  the  Creek  country  and  pass- 
ing near  the  lower  towns,  and  the  Frenchman  had  told  of  find- 
ing rest  and  security. 

"  I  have  it  now !  "  softly  exclaimed  Sevier,  lifting  his  head 
and  glancing  sharply  about  the  village. 

The  domesticated  fowls  scratched  and  pecked  before  the 
silent  cabins.  Pigs  grunted  and  nosed  about.  Then  a  small 
face  shyly  peeped  round  the  corner  of  a  cabin,  and  Sevier 
smiled  as  he  beheld  the  little  maid  who  had  prayed  to  the 
beaver  for  a  new  tooth.  She  held  up  the  trade  mirror  and 
ventured  a  few  steps  toward  him.  A  low  admonition  from 
inside  the  cabin  was  ignored  by  the  tot.  Suddenly  making 
up  her  mind,  she  ran  to  the  window  and  gleefully  held  up  the 
mirror  for  him  to  look  in,  then  gravely  opened  her  mouth  and 
used  the  glass  in  seeking  the  belated  gift  of  Dayi. 

Sevier  chucked  her  under  the  chin.  A  woman  came  run- 
ning from  the  cabin  and  seized  the  child  by  the  arm,  perhaps 
fearing  that  the  white  man  would  bewitch  her. 

"  Listen,  woman,"  Sevier  commanded  under  his  breath. 
"  Is  this  Ayuhwasi  ?  " 

"  Ayuhwasi  Egwahi,"  the  woman  timidly  corrected  as  she 
caught  up  the  child  and  hurried  away. 

Sevier  drew  a  long  breath  and  turned  from  the  window  to 
conceal  his  smile.  It  was  the  town  the  French  trader  had 
mentioned.  And  by  what  a  round-about  way  had  the  borderer 
recalled  it !  A  fragment  from  Deuteronomy,  a  flash  of  mem- 
ory concerning  his  old  friend  James  Robertson's  talk  of  Echota 


THE  AXCIEXT  LAW  101 

—  and  Chucky  Jack  was  now  ready  to  meet  Chief  Watts, 
his  head  men  and  the  villain,  Polcher,  and  dicker  for  his 
life. 

The  intrusion  of  the  child  seemed  to  he  a  signal  for  the 
deathly  quiet  to  break  up.  There  sounded  a  hoarse,  monot- 
onous chanting  of  a  shaman,  the  shuffling  tread  of  warriors 
moving  with  ceremonial  step,  and  then  John  Watts,  followed 
by  Polcher  and  a  string  of  warriors,  entered  the  council-house, 
their  faces  devoid  of  expression,  their  eyes  resting  on  the  pris- 
oner as  if  not  seeing  him.  Watts  and  Polcher  took  seats  side 
by  side,  and,  had  not  Sevier  been  looking  for  the  tavern-keeper, 
he  would  not  have  recognized  him. 

Polcher  now  was  all  Indian.  Gone  the  smirk  and  urbanity 
of  his  white  role.  In  discarding  the  garments  of  the  settle- 
ments he  had  taken  on  the  status  of  the  red  man.  His  fea- 
tures were  all  Indian,  and  yet  three-fourths  of  his  blood  was 
white.  What  especially  served  to  disguise  him  was  his  elab- 
orate head-dress  of  eagle  feathers.  Sevier  stared  at  the 
feathers  intently,  then  began  smiling.  As  the  line  of  war- 
riors scowled  blackly  at  his  show  of  mirth^  he  threw  off  all 
restraint  and  laughed  aloud. 

Before  he  could  be  interrogated,  he  pointed  a  derisive  finger 
at  Polcher  and  demanded : 

"  Are  the  Cherokees  mad,  or  are  their  medicine-men  fools, 
that  they  allow  an  eagle  to  be  killed  before  the  snakes  have 
gone  to  sleep  ?  Have  the  Cherokee  towns  lost  aU  their  eagle- 
killers  ?  " 

This  unexpected  outburst  caused  the  warriors  to  exchange 
glances  of  consternation.  The  twelve  feathers  on  the  breed's 
head  were  surely  from  the  tail  of  the  mighty  awahili,  the  great 
war-eagle,  especially  sacred  and  prominent  in  all  rites  per- 
taining to  the  war-path. 

Watts  frowned  and  said  something  under  his  breath.  Pol- 
cher boldly  assured: 


102  BED  BELTS 

"  My  medicine  told  me  to  kill  the  eagle.  It  was  sick  and 
would  have  died." 

"  He  has  killed  the  eagle  and  has  taken  its  feathers  with- 
out first  allowing  it  to  remain  four  days  on  the  ground ! " 
cried  Sevier. 

The  warriors  edged  apart  from  Watts  and  Polcher,  for  it 
was  known  that  the  insects  on  the  eagle's  feathers  will  cause 
a  series  skin  disease  to  any  who  wears  them  without  first  leav- 
ing them  on  the  ground  four  days. 

Knowing  Sevier  had  thrown  him  on  to  the  defensive,  Pol- 
cher declared  — 

"  My  medicine  protects  me  from  the  eagle-sickness." 

But  Sevier  was  not  yet  done  with  him  and  roundly  scored : 

"  Does  your  medicine  save  the  Cherokees'  corn  ?  You  have 
killed  an  eagle  out  of  season.  Surely  the  frost  will  come  and 
kill  the  corn." 

This,  also,  was  accepted  as  an  incontrovertible  fact,  and 
Chief  Watts  realized  the  council  would  be  thrown  into  con- 
fusion unless  Chucky  Jack  were  headed  off.  Bringing  his  two 
hands  together  for  silence,  he  cried  out : 

"  That  business  can  wait.  Little  John  need  not  worry 
about  Cherokee  com.  He  has  asked  to  see  the  man  who  says 
he  killed  Tall  Eunner.     The  man  is  here  and  will  speak." 

Polcher  rose,  and  a  smile  twisted  his  evil  face  for  a  mo- 
ment as  he  met  Sevier's  eyes.  Then  the  red  man's  immobil- 
ity returned,  and  he  began : 

"  Tall  Eunner  of  the  Wolf  was  killed  in  Jonesboro.  I  did 
not  see  him  killed,  but  my  white  friends  did.  I  did  see  his 
scalp  in  the  court-house.  It  was  placed  on  the  table  before 
Little  John.  I  tried  to  get  the  scalp  to  bring  to  you,  but 
Little  John  destroj^ed  it." 

He  sat  down  and  indulged  in  another  smile  of  hate  as  the 
line  of  warriors  grunted  in  unison.  Sevier  addressed  Watts 
and  said : 


THE  AXCIEXT  LAW  103 

"  This  man  murdered  an  old  white  man.  I  have  followed 
him  here.  Will  you  give  him  up,  or  must  I  come  with  my 
riflemen  ?  ^' 

Chief  Watts  smiled  in  keen  enjoyment  at  the  borderer's 
boldness.     His  voice  was  low  and  almost  gentle  as  he  replied : 

"  Little  John,  Little  John !  Your  white  law  does  not  reach 
here.  A  Cherokee  has  killed  an  old  white  man.  What  of  it? 
It  were  better  if  he  had  killed  a  young  white  man.  You  ask 
if  you  shall  come  with  your  riflemen.  If  you  can  find  them 
in  the  ever-darkening  land,  and  your  medicine  will  let  you 
come  back,  we  can  not  stop  you.  You  have  asked  to  see  the 
man  you  hunted.  He  is  here.  He  is  one  of  your  judges. 
Listen  now  to  what  this  council  shall  decide. 

"  Brothers,  it  is  said  a  Cherokee  was  killed  in  or  near 
Jonesboro.     What  do  we  find  ?  '' 

"  A  Cherokee  was  killed,"  came  the  answer. 

"  It  is  said  he  is  Tall  Eunner  of  the  Wolf.  What  do  we 
find  ?  " 

"  Tall  Eunner  was  killed." 

"  It  is  said  a  white  man  killed  him.  What  is  the  colour  of 
the  slayer  ?  " 

^^  He  is  a  white  man." 

The  chief  paused  and  cast  a  glance  at  Sevier.  The  borderer 
knew  the  climax  was  about  to  be  sprung  but  concealed  any 
concern  he  might  have  felt  by  staring  at  the  eagle's  feathers 
and  smiling  sardonically. 

"  Brothers,  it  is  said  Little  John  of  the  Xolichucky  killed 
Tall  Eunner.     What  do  we  find?" 

"  Tsan-usdi  killed  Tall  Eunner." 

Chief  Watts  rose  and  stared  gravely  at  the  prisoner.  Pol- 
cher  leaned  forward  and  grinned  in  open  malevolence. 

"  There  is  but  one  more  vote  to  take,  my  brothers,"  slowly 
said  the  chief,  speaking  almost  sadly.  "  What  is  your  answer, 
brothers  ?  " 


104  EED  BELTS 

"  Death  to  Little  John !  "  chorused  the  council. 

Polcher  laughed  aloud.     The  chief  scowled  at  him. 

xls  Watts  resumed  his  seat,  Sevier  leisurely  smoothed  out 
his  hunting-shirt,  hrushed  back  his  brown  hair  and  calmly 
fixed  his  blue  eyes  on  the  chief.  His  first  words  were  a  ques- 
tion, an  unlooked  for  and  astounding  query. 

"  How  long  since  John  Watts,  leader  of  the  renegade  Cher- 
okees  who  live  in  the  five  lower  towns  on  the  Tennessee,  gives 
the  law  in  Great  Hiwassee  ?  How  long  since  the  hostiles,  call- 
ing themselves  '  Chickamaugas,'  can  leave  their  five  towns  and 
come  here  to  Ayuhwasi  Egwahi  —  Great  Hiwassee  —  a  white 
town  and  a  peace  town,  and  pronounce  the  sentence  of 
death  ? '' 

Watts  started  convulsively  and  bared  his  teeth  in  a  wolfish 
snarl.  Polcher  yelled  a  white  man's  curse  and  grabbed  at  his 
belt.  Watts  seized  the  breed's  hand  and  flung  it  down,  then 
became  wooden  of  face.  His  followers  grunted  aloud.  Pol- 
cher passionately  cried : 

"  The  white  man  lies.  Echota  is  the  white  town.  Ayuh- 
wasi Egwahi  is  a  red  town  and  the  path  to  it  is  red.'' 

"  Dog  of  a  mixed-breed !  "  thundered  Sevier,  levelling  a  fin- 
ger at  him.  "  Your  soul  shall  curl  up  and  become  as  nothing. 
Killer  of  great  war-eagle  out  of  season,  your  bones  shall  rattle 
in  blackness  !     You  dare  deny  the  law  of  the  Cherokees ! '' 

The  one  shaman  present  shivered,  his  eyes  glistening  with 
fear,  and,  unable  to  witness  the  blazing  scorn  the  blue  eyes 
were  pouring  into  Polcher,  drew  his  blanket  over  his  head. 
Watts  could  not  entirely  cover  up  his  concern,  and,  turning  to 
the  shaman,  he  asked  — 

"  What  does  our  father  sav  as  to  the  law  ?  " 

The  shamans  figure  trembled,  for  he  had  great  fear  of 
Chief  Watts'  anger,  even  though  he  were  a  medicine-man. 
In  a  quavering  voice  he  informed  — 

"  A  long  time  ago,  when  all  the  old  things  were  new,  when 


THE  ANCIENT  LAW  105 


water-bears  lived  at  the  bottom  of  the  Oconaluftee  River,  this 
village  of  Ayuhwasi  Egwahi  was  a  white  town/' 

"  It  has  not  been  used  as  such  in  three  lives/'  cried  Polcher. 

*'  A  man-slayer  has  never  been  refused  refuge/'  said  Sevier. 

Motioning  them  to  be  still,  Watts  fixed  his  gleaming  gaze  on 
the  shaman  and  said : 

"  I  have  given  many  bales  of  black  and  red  cloth  to  our  med- 
icine-men.    Now,  my  father,  when  was  the  law  changed  ?  " 

And  he  leaned  forward  and  sought  to  catch  the  shaman  s 
eye.  But  the  medicine-man's  fear  of  physical  violence  was  as 
notliing  compared  with  his  fear  of  witches,  blue  and  black 
spirits  and  dreams  that  sapped  one's  soul  away. 

Keeping  his  face  in  the  blanket,  he  answered  — 

"  It  can  not  be  changed  so  long  as  the  town  stands." 

""  Yu  I  "  cried  Sevier  in  triumph.  "  And  now,  John  Watts, 
how  dare  you  come  from  your  renegade  towns,  from  your 
outcast  Shawnees  and  Creeks,  your  runaway  Cherokees  and 
white  dogs,  and  try  to  break  the  law  of  the  Cherokees  ?  How 
dare  you  bring  this  creature,  neither  white  nor  red,  and  let 
him  enter  a  council  and  vote  for  death  while  he  is  wearing  the 
feathers  of  the  sacred  aivahili?  You  say  I  murdered  a  Chero- 
kee or  had  him  murdered.  I  say  you  and  that  mongrel  dog 
lie.  You  say  Tall  Runner  was  killed  in  Jonesboro.  I  say 
he  lives  and  goes  to  find  Old  Tassel,  unless  he  was  killed  by 
that  white-Indian  after  returning  to  his  own  people. 

"  But  believe  me  to  be  a  murderer,  or  pretend  to  believe  me 
a  murderer.  Believe  what  you  will,  and  still  I  laugh  at  you 
and  the  man  called  Polcher.  For  I  appeal  to  the  ancient  law 
of  the  Cherokees,  the  law  that  has  never  been  set  aside  and 
can  not  be  set  aside  so  long  as  a  single  white  town  stands  on 
Cherokee  soil  I  I  demand  my  life  so  long  as  I  stay  here  in 
Great  Hiwassee.  And,  by  the  living  God,  who  is  God  of  both 
white  and  red,  do  you  break  that  ancient  law  at  your  peril ! " 


CHAPTER  VI 

ON  THE  WHITE   PATH 

WATTS  glared  in  speechless  rage,  then  sank  back 
helpless.  Polcher  slyly  drew  a  pistol,  only  to  find 
his  arm  seized  by  the  frightened  shaman  and  the 
weapon  twisted  from  his  hand.  The  warriors  gritted  their 
teeth  but  offered  no  violence.  It  was  the  law.  Human  blood 
must  never  be  spilled  in  a  wliite  town.  It  was  also  the  law 
among  the  Creeks  and,  if  old  memories  were  to  be  trusted, 
among  the  Senecas  of  the  Long  House.  Superstition  cowed 
those  who  would  have  scant  regard  for  some  other  tribal  laws. 

Sevier  was  still  flushed  with  victory  when  Watts  drew  him- 
self erect  and  smiled  coldly  on  the  borderer  and  in  a  mocking 
voice  said: 

"  So  be  it.  Woe  to  the  Cherokee  who  breaks  the  law ! " 
And  he  paused  to  dart  a  warning  glance  at  the  enraged  tavern- 
keeper.  "  But  listen,  Little  John ;  the  law  says  you  shall  re- 
ceive no  hurt  so  long  as  you  stay  here.  So  long  as  you  stay 
here.'' 

Sevier  winced.  Time  was  all  precious.  He  must  overtake 
the  Tonpits  and  turn  them  back.  The  man's  mad  ambitions 
unfitted  him  for  cool-headed  scheming,  and  it  might  result 
that  his  zeal  would  embarrass  the  cause  of  Spain.  Yet,  such 
as  he  was,  he  was  essential  in  binding  McGillivray  to  the 
Cherokees  and  to  the  white  malcontents  back  in  the  Watauga 
country.  Could  he  and  the  Emperor  of  the  Creeks  be  kept 
apart  ?  McGillivray's  formidable  plans  might  easily  go  amiss, 
or  at  least  be  delayed  until  the  border  riflemen  could  prepare 
for  the  war. 

Se\ier  appreciated  Tonpit's  erratic  nature  and  yet  did  not 

106 


1 


ON  THE  WHITE  PATH  107 

underestimate  him.  He  came  from  a  proud  family.  He  was 
austere  in  personality  but  could  surely  gather  a  following 
among  the  recent  arrivals  over  the  mountains.  Old-timers 
would  stick  by  Sevier  and  blindly  follow  his  lead.  Many  of 
the  newcomers  and  the  lawless  element  —  the  last  as  a  unit  — 
would  huzza  for  Tonpit.  The  Indians  only  asked  for  two 
hostile  factions  among  the  settlers.  Aided  by  the  Creeks,  they 
would  side  with  Tonpit. 

So  Sevier  had  reason  for  dismay  as  he  considered  the  trap 
he  was  in.  Just  so  long  as  he  remained  within  the  limits  of 
the  town,  all  trails  would  be  white  and  he  would  be  treated 
courteously.  Not  even  Polcher,  now  he  had  been  taught  his 
lesson,  would  raise  a  hand  against  him.  But  let  him  step  over 
the  line,  and  he  became  legitimate  game  for  any  ax. 

Chief  Watts  gauged  his  thoughts  correctly  and  motioned  for 
Polcher  to  withdraw.  After  the  tavern-keeper  had  departed, 
the  chief  with  mock  gravity  said  — 

"  My  new  brother,  who  has  come  to  live  with  us,  understands 
where  he  can  walk  and  where  he  must  not  walk  ?  " 

"  He  understands,"  was  the  cheerful  reply.  "  As  he  is 
weary,  he  will  be  glad  to  rest  here  until  the  next  Green  Corn 
Dance  wipes  out  the  crime  he  never  committed." 

*•  When  new  fire  is  given  to  take  the  place  of  the  old,  he  will 
be  free  to  go  unharmed,"  admitted  Watts,  well  satisfied  to 
hold  Sevier  a  prisoner  until  the  corn  was  ready  for  harvesting, 
or  about  the  middle  of  August.  Watts  believed  the  die  would 
be  cast  inside  of  thirty  days  and  that,  without  Sevier  to  stiffen 
their  morale,  the  settlers  would  be  conquered. 

Watts  was  the  last  of  the  warriors  to  leave.  At  the  door  he 
called  out  a  command,  and  a  man  handed  him  in  Sevier's  rifle 
and  a  belt.  Presenting  these  to  the  borderer,  the  chief 
gravely  said : 

"  These  are  yours.  No  one  shall  say  the  Cherokees  are 
thieves  even  if  the  whites  have  stolen  their  land." 


108  BED  BELTS 

"  I  shall  feel  easier  for  having  them  so  long  as  Polcher  is 
in  the  village." 

"  You  need  have  no  fear  of  Polcher.  He  will  not  think  of 
harming  a  hair  of  your  head.  He  showed  anger  while  here, 
but  that  is  because  he  has  lived  long  among  whites  and  forgets 
the  law.  Now  he  knows ;  he  will  not  reach  for  his  knife  again 
—  in  Great  Hiwassee." 

"  If  I  choose  to  try  to  escape,  can  I  have  my  horse  ?  " 

"  Your  horse  is  at  the  edge  of  the  village  with  the  others. 
Take  him  any  time.  It  is  your  horse.  If  you  care  to  take 
the  risk,  you  shall  set  out  in  as  good  condition  as  you  were  in 
when  my  young  men  brought  you  here." 

"  I  will  remember  it  in  your  favour  when  next  I  have  you 
under  my  rifle,"  said  Sevier,  his  eyes  sparkling  as  he  examined 
his  rifle  and  pistol  and  found  they  had  not  been  tampered 
with.     "  You  stay  here  ?  " 

"  I  have  work  to  do  in  my  lower  towns,"  was  the  enigmatic 
reply,  illuminated  somewhat  by  the  peculiar  smile  accompany- 
ing the  words. 

'^  Preparing  for  war  while  I  wait  for  the  corn  to  be  har- 
vested. On  coming  here  I  saw  a  war-eagle  flying  away. 
What  was  it  a  sign  of  ?     Your  defeat  ?  " 

Watts  looked  sober.  More  progressive  in  his  ideas  than 
the  bulk  of  his  people,  yet  he  could  not  discard  many  of  the 
superstitions.  Secretly  he  was  alarmed  that  Polcher  had 
killed  an  eagle  out  of  season,  yet  that  was  a  fault  that  did  not 
necessarily  spell  disaster.  To  make  light  of  the  disquieting 
suggestion  he  indifferently  said : 

"  We  have  shamans  to  read  signs.  It  is  enough  for  you  to 
know  that  all  crimes  die  out  and  are  forgotten  when  old  fires 
die  and  are  replaced  by  the  new.  You  have  your  choice.  Lit- 
tle John.  Stay  and  live,  or  step  over  the  line  and  have  an  ax 
stuck  in  your  head.     Ku  !  " 

"  I  have  heard  you,"  was  the  quiet  reply. 


ON  THE  WHITE  PATH  109 

Free  to  come  and  go,  Sevier  quit  the  council-house  and 
wandered  about  the  village.  Feeling  hungry,  he  entered  a 
cabin  and  found  the  little  girl  playing  with  the  mirror.  He 
was  promptly  provided  with  beans  and  venison.  The  father 
of  the  child  eyed  him  stealthily.  The  child  boldly  ran  to 
him  and  climbed  on  his  knee.  Sevier  knew  these  were  his 
friends  insofar  as  they  could  be  such  without  betraying  their 
people. 

"  Has  a  white  man  and  a  white  woman  passed  through 
this  village  since  the  little  one  lost  her  tooth  ?  '^  he  asked  as 
he  ate. 

The  man  turned  away,  but  the  woman  shook  her  head,  and 
Chucky  Jack  knew  she  answered  truthfully.  He  was  disap- 
pointed, yet  icmembered  it  was  very  possible  he  had  passed 
ahead  of  them.  Tonpit  would  be  held  back  by  the  girl.  It 
was  also  possible  they  had  passed  the  village  without  entering 
it.     And  he  persisted  — 

"  Have  you  heard  of  a  white  man  and  woman  travelling  to 
the  Coosa  ?  " 

Again  the  man  pretended  not  to  have  heard  the  query,  and 
once  more  the  woman  silently  answered  in  the  negative.  He 
was  puzzled.  He  knew  the  Tonpits  could  pass  without  hin- 
drance once  it  was  known  they  were  bound  for  McGillivray's 
town.  And,  did  they  pass,  the  news  would  be  flashed  from 
village  to  village  with  incredible  swiftness. 

"  It  must  be  that  I've  got  ahead  of  them ;  that  Polcher  got 
far  ahead  of  them,"  he  decided  as  he  finished  his  meal. 
"  Tonpit  would  have  to  stop  and  give  the  girl  a  chance  to  rest. 
Even  at  that  it's  queer  no  word  is  brought  ahead  of  their 
coming." 

He  went  outside,  wondering  if  by  any  chance  Tonpit  had 
changed  his  plans  and  struck  for  Governor  Miro's  headquar- 
ters at  Pensacola.  The  girl's  hurried  scrawl  told  her  lover 
they   were   bound   for   Little   Talassee.     This   substantiated 


110  EED  BELTS 

his  theory  that  McGillivray  had  demanded  her  as  a  hostage  to 
bind  Tonpit  to  his  bargain.  This  line  of  conjecture  brought 
Kirk  Jackson  to  mind,  and  he  speculated  on  the  young  man's 
whereabouts.  How  long  would  he  hide  from  the  settlers, 
thinking  a  mob  was  after  him  to  give  him  short  shift? 

"Just  long  enough  to  feel  sure  he  could  find  me  in  the 
court-house,"  was  the  borderer's  decision  on  this  point.  "  On 
learning  I've  gone  and  that  he's  safe  in  the  settlement,  he'll 
wait  just  long  enough  to  get  a  horse  and  come  pounding  after 
the  girl.  Wish  I'd  left  a  note  for  him  to  stay  there,  although 
that  would  have  no  effect  on  a  young  man  in  love." 

Realizing  the  folly  of  further  speculation,  he  brought  his 
mind  to  bear  on  his  immediate  surroundings  and  strolled  out 
to  see  his  horse.  The  faithful  animal  ran  to  him  to  be  petted. 
To  leap  on  his  back  and  speed  down  the  trail  would  take  but 
a  minute.  He  had  his  arms  and  had  eaten.  While  making 
much  of  the  horse,  he  cast  his  glance  about.  The  woods  were 
quiet,  scarcely  a  breath  stirring  the  foliage.  The  itching  to 
be  off  almost  tempted  him,  then  he  turned  away  and  walked 
but  a  few  rods  toward  the  cabins  when  Watts  came  from  be- 
hind a  bush. 

"  No,  John,"  he  said  before  the  other  could  speak ;  "  I  de- 
cided not  to  risk  it.  For  a  bit  I  believed  it  could  be  done; 
then  I  saw  tsiskvmya,  the  little  sparrow,  fly  upward,  afraid  of 
something  on  the  ground." 

'^  Tsiskwaya  saw  a  snake,"  suggested  Watts. 

"  He  wore  Cherokee  paint,"  smiled  Sevier. 

The  chief  lowered  at  him  evilly,  a  heavly  scowl  distorting 
his  dark  face.  The  borderer  knew  something  had  gone  wrong 
with  his  enemy  and  philosophically  decided  he  ought  to  be  ben- 
efitted by  whatever  had  displeased  the  chief. 

"  My  brother  is  angry  because  I  did  not  ride  down  the  trail," 
he  said. 


ON  THE  WHITE  PATH  111 

"W"atts  snarled  like  a  tree-cat,  then  forced  his  face  to  com- 
posure and  said : 

"  I  am  angry  at  your  narrow  escape.  If  you  had  gone 
down  the  trail,  the  snake  might  have  bitten  you.  Who 
knows  ?  Bad  dreams  would  have  come  to  me  if  you  had  been 
harmed." 

"  Just  what  does  that  mean  ?  "  Sevier  suspiciously  asked. 

Watts  pointed  to  the  end  of  the  village,  where  warriors 
were  filing  in  between  the  first  cabins. 

"  Old  Tassel  comes,  and  with  him  is  the  Tall  Eunner,  the 
man  of  the  Wolf,  who  Polcher  said  was  dead." 

Sevier  could  scarcely  credit  his  eyes.  Old  Tassel  and  Tall 
Eunner  rode  ahead  of  the  band. 

*^  Then  I  am  free  to  go.  I  do  not  need  to  wait  for  the 
Green  Corn  Dance  to  wipe  out  all  sins,"  he  cried. 

"  Little  John  is  as  free  as  the  birds  of  the  air,"  quickly 
assured  Watts.  "  His  horse  is  waiting.  He  has  his  rifle, 
pistol  and  ax.  He  had  better  go  before  Old  Tassel  asks  him 
to  stay.  If  there  is  a  snake  in  the  woods,  I  will  drive  him 
away."  And  he  raised  two  fingers  to  his  lips  and  whistled 
shrilly.  The  signal  was  promptly  answered.  "  The  path  is 
open  and  smooth,"  he  said  to  Sevier. 

There  was  a  strong  possibility  that  Old  Tassel  would  insist 
on  his  remaining  in  the  village.  Sevier  had  learned,  how- 
ever, that  he  invariably  profited  by  doing  the  opposite  to 
what  hostiles  like  Watts  wished  him  to  do.  Now  that  luck 
had  permitted  him  to  meet  Old  Tassel,  whose  pacific  inclina- 
tions were  a  thorn  in  the  side  of  the  war-faction,  he  instantly 
became  determined  to  w^in  some  advantage  from  the  encounter. 

"  Where  is  the  man  Polcher  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  He  is  here  somewhere." 

"  I  think  my  medicine  is  telling  me  to  see  Old  Tassel  before 
I  go,"  he  announced.     With  that  he  hastened  forward,  fol- 


112  RED  BELTS 

lowed  bv  the  chief,  and  overtook  Old  Tassel  in  front  of  the 
council-house. 

The  old  chief  wias  not  prepared  for  the  meeting,  and  his 
alarmed  manner  of  glancing  about  suggested  an  expectation 
of  beholding  a  band  of  Chucky  Jack's  famous  riflemen.  His 
show  of  perturbation  impelled  Sevier  to  wonder  what  tricks 
the  wily  old  diplomat  was  up  to.  The  Tall  Eunner  ignored 
Sevier's  presence  entirely. 

"  My  brother  did  not  think  to  see  me  here/'  greeted  Sevier, 
grasping  the  chief  by  the  hand. 

"  My  brother  is  far  from  home,"  mumbled  the  chief. 

"Xot  when  he  is  in  the  home  of  his  friends,"  corrected 
Sevier.  "  Come,  let  us  open  a  bag  of  talk.  I  sent  you  a 
t^lk  by  Tall  Runner  to  say  I  would  meet  you  in  council.  I 
am  here  alone  to  do  so." 

Old  Tassel  stared  in  amazement  at  his  audacity.  The 
warriors  behind  the  old  man  exchanged  puzzled  glances  and 
tightened  their  grip  on  their  axes.  Sevier  noted  the  hostile 
demonstration  and  read  the  red  minds  easily.  Never  before 
had  they  been  given  such  an  opportunity.  Many  times 
Chucky  Jack  and  his  mounted  riflemen  had  struck  them  and 
wounded  them  sorely.  Now  he  was  in  their  midst,  far  from 
the  settlements  and  seemingly  alone.  The  last  fact  they 
could  scarcely  believe. 

As  their  gaze  turned  to  suspiciously  sweep  the  forest,  John 
Watts  spoke  up,  assuring : 

^'  Little  John  rides  alone.  Mv  vouno^  men  found  him  and 
brought  him  here." 

"  To  this  white  town  of  peace,"  added  Sevier.  "  What 
could  be  better  than  to  hold  our  talk  in  a  peace  town,  where 
evil  thoughts  and  bloodshed  are  not  known  ?  " 

Old  Tassel's  braves  glanced  at  Watts,  as  if  asking  if  that 
were  the  reason  the  borderer  was  still  alive,  and  found  their 


ON  THE  WHITE  PATH  113 

answer  in  his  e^loomy  eves.  Old  Tassel  shook  off  his  confusion 
and  assented : 

"TVe  will  hear  my  brother's  talk.  The  Cherokees  do  not 
want  war  with  the  whites.  My  brother  would  be  safe  in  a 
peace  town  or  a  red  town,  as  safe  as  he  would  be  on  the 
Holston  or  the  French  Broad." 

The  sullen  countenances  of  his  followers  and  the  half- 
masked  ferocity  of  Watts  left  room  for  doubt  as  to  the 
unanimity  of  this  sentiment,  but  no  word  was  spoken  as  the 
two  chiefs  and  representative  men  filed  into  the  council-house 
and  took  their  places. 

After  a  decorous  pause  Sevier  rose  and  said : 

^*  Evil  birds  have  whispered  to  the  Cherokees,  and  the  nation 
now  refuses  to  keep  the  chain  of  friendship  from  dragging 
on  the  ground.  It  lies  in  the  dirt,  no  matter  how  high  my 
people  lift  their  arms.  It  is  the  end  in  the  Cherokee  country 
that  is  allowed  to  drag.  This  should  not  be.  White  men 
and  women  and  children  going  to  Kentucky  have  been  killed 
by  the  Cherokees.     This  must  not  be. 

"  The  Cherokees  have  killed  many  white  settlers  who  have 
crossed  the  Holston  and  the  French  Broad.  Their  bones  have 
not  been  covered.  Our  settlers  were  told  by  Xorth  Carolina 
they  were  right  in  going  there.  It  is  too  late  to  call  them 
back.  They  will  hold  the  land  because  the  bones  of  their 
dead  have  not  been  covered. 

"  We  hear  that  the  Cherokees  now  plan  to  join  hands  with 
Alexander  McGillivray  and  his  Creeks;  that  war-talks  have 
been  sent  back  and  forth  between  the  two  nations.  Let  the 
Cherokees  beware  how  thev  take  a  red  ax  from  the  Creeks. 

'*  Where  did  the  Creeks  get  their  lands  ?  From  those  they 
struck  in  the  head.  "WTio  filled  the  Creek  cabins  with  guns 
and  powder?  A  Spanish  King  over  the  big  water.  How 
does  vSpain  treat  the  Indians  ?     Go  and  ask  the  old  men  among 


114  EED  BELTS 

your  people,  among  the  Creeks  and  the  Seminoles,  who  have 
received  the  stories  from  the  old  men  behind  them.  Ask  the 
old  men  of  this  nation  what  their  fathers'  fathers  told  them 
of  De  Soto. 

"  If  the  Cherokees  take  the  red  ax  from  the  Creeks  and 
should  break  off  all  the  heads  of  the  settlers  along  the  French 
Broad,  the  Holston,  the  Nolichucky  and  the  Watauga,  what 
w^ould  they  gain?  The  Creeks  as  friends.  They  have  never 
been  a  true  friend  to  any  neighbour.  Spain  a  friend  ?  When 
you  bait  a  sacred  war-eagle  with  the  carcass  of  a  deer  and 
kill  it,  you  pray  to  it  not  to  take  vengeance  on  you,  saying  it  is 
no  Cherokee  that  killed  it,  but  Askwani  —  a  Spaniard.  Why 
do  you  pray  to  turn  the  dead  eagle's  vengeance  against  the 
Spaniards?  Because  it  is  burned  into  your  heads  from  the 
old,  old  times  how  cruelly  Spain  used  your  people. 

'' Hayu!  If  you  do  not  sound  the  red  war-whoop,  the 
Creeks  can  do  nothing.  They  can  not  harm  you.  If  you 
join  with  them  Spain  will  see  they  get  your  lands.  Then 
Spain  wiU  take  all  the  land  for  herself.  If  you  hold  up  the 
chain  of  friendship  so  it  does  not  drag  on  the  ground,  I  will 
promise  you  that  our  settlers  shall  not  go  beyond  the  boundary 
we  agree  upon  at  the  grand  council. 

"  The  land  now  held  south  of  the  Broad  and  the  Holston 
must  remain  ours  to  cover  the  dead  you  have  slain.  We  will 
cover  your  dead  with  presents  and  will  not  wander  from  our 
land  to  your  land.  If  you  make  this  treaty  and  stand  to  it,  I 
promise  I  will  lead  my  riflemen  against  the  Creeks  should 
they  try  to  steal  any  of  your  lands.     I  have  spoken." 

The  boldness  of  this  talk  amazed  the  warriors.  At  the 
least  they  had  expected  Sevier  to  be  very  conciliatory.  His 
blunt  reminder  of  what  the  Kentucky  settlers  had  suffered, 
his  firm  insistence  that  the  settlers  below  the  French  Broad 
would  not  vacate  the  land  and  his  calm  offer  of  assistance 
left  them  speechless.     His  magnificent  assurance,   although 


0:^"  THE  WHITE  PATH  115 

isolated  from  his  friends  by  many  miles  of  enemies,  touched 
their  imagination  and  commanded  their  deepest  respect. 
Even  Watts,  although  determined  to  take  the  red  path,  could 
not  suppress  his  admiration.  The  effect  on  Old  Tassel  was 
very  marked. 

Sevier  believed  that  Watts'  eagerness  to  have  him  leave  the 
village  without  meeting  the  old  chief  was  due  to  some  half- 
promise  on  TasseFs  part  to  favourably  consider  the  Creeks' 
request  for  an  alliance  in  a  general  war  against  the  whites. 
If  Old  Tassel  had  intimated  any  such  willingness,  it  was  now 
obvious  that  Sevier's  plain  speaking  was  impelling  him  to 
reconsider  and  weigh  the  consequences  most  carefully. 

Watts  fumed  with  impatience  to  denounce  Sevier  and  his 
riflemen  and  to  urge  his  hearers  to  declare  war  at  once,  but 
etiquette  demanded  that  Old  Tassel  speak  first.  The  old 
chief  did  not  relish  his  task  and  faltered  and  hesitated  but 
managed  to  say : 

"  My  brother's  words  have  entered  my  ears.  North  Caro- 
lina has  sent  me  many  talks,  promising  I  should  have  justice 
and  that  all  new  people  be  moved  off  my  land.  I  am  an  old 
man.  The  promises  must  be  kept  very  soon,  or  I  shall  not 
live  to  see  them  kept.  Now  they  tell  me  the  Watauga  settle- 
ments are  not  a  part  of  North  Carolina  and  that  I  must  send 
my  talk  to  the  Thirteen  Fires,  to  the  Great  Council  of 
America.  So  much  going  about  to  get  justice  troubles 
me." 

Sevier  quickly  replied : 

"  I  will  keep  the  promises  I  make  in  the  grand  council  I 
am  asking  you  to  come  to.  The  Watauga  settlements  are  to 
become  a  separate  fire  and  blaze  beside  the  thirteen." 

Unable  to  restrain  his  fierce  passions  longer,  Watts  leaped 
to  his  feet  and  cried : 

"  Why  should  we  wait  longer  to  have  promises  kept  ?  Why 
should  we  believe  new  promises  will  be  remembered  better  than 


116  EED  BELTS 

the  old?  What  power  has  Little  John  to  make  the  settlers 
keep  off  our  lands?  Even  now  the  settlements  do  not  know 
where  they  belong.  North  Carolina  does  not  want  them. 
The  Great  Council  of  America  has  not  taken  them  in.  Who, 
then,  is  to  see  that  the  promises  are  kept  ? 

''  Kuf  Spain  tells  these  settlers  they  must  not  travel  on 
the  Mississippi,  and  the  river  is  closed  except  to  the  friends 
of  Spain.  Little  John  is  a  brave  man,  but  he  can  not  shoot 
his  rifle  across  the  big  water.  Spain  speaks,  and  her  voice 
comes  across  the  water,  and  she  is  obeyed.  Let  us  go  to  no 
grand  council  until  the  whites  have  left  our  lands."  Then 
whirling  on  Sevier  he  cried,  "  I  have  said  you  are  a  brave 
man.  I  meant  the  days  when  we  fought  each  other  on  the 
border.  I  do  not  mean  now  —  today.  For  you  have  sneaked 
through  the  woods  and  kept  from  sight  until  safe  in  a  peace 
town.  You  would  talk  soft  if  you  were  in  Little  Talassee, 
face  to  face  with  McGillivray." 

Sevier  knew  Watts  was  trying  to  drive  him  into  the  wilder- 
ness where  the  paths  were  red,  and  he  accepted  the  challenge 
by  retorting : 

"  I  will  go  to  Little  Talassee.  I  will  speak  face  to  face 
with  McGillivray,  and,  after  I  have  finished,  go  and  ask  him 
if  I  spoke  soft."  Turning  to  Old  Tassel  he  demanded, 
"What  do  you  say  to  my  talk?  Will  you  come  to  a  grand 
council  on  the  French  Broad  or  on  the  Holston  after  I  have 
returned  from  McGillivray's  town  ?  " 

Old  Tassel,  beset  by  his  desire  for  peace,  yet  feeling  the 
surge  of  his  warriors'  will  for  fighting,  now  found  a  loop- 
hole.    He  gravely  replied  — 

"  When  you  come  back  from  carrying  your  talk  to  McGilli- 
vray, I  will  go  to  a  grand  council  on  the  French  Broad." 

"You  have  given  your  promise  in  the  council-house  of  a 
peace  town.  It  is  to  be  so,"  said  Sevier,  picking  up  his  rifle 
and  preparing  to  go. 


ON  THE  WHITE  PATH  117 

Watts  stepped  forward  and  extended  his  hand,  and,  as 
Sevier  grasped  it  and  searched  his  face,  he  said : 

"  Little  John  is  still  a  brave  man.  Whether  it  be  peace  or 
war,  you  are  a  brave  man.  And  will  you  go  to  little 
Talassee?" 

Sevier  dropped  his  hand  and  coldly  replied  — 

"  Unless  stopped  by  a  Chickamauga  bullet,  I  shall  go  there." 

Watts  clicked  his  strong  teeth  and  whispered : 

"  McGillivray  will  keep  you  safe  there.  You  will  not  get 
in  his  trail  again.'^  Then  turning  to  the  curious  warriors  he 
cried  out,  "  Ho !  A  brave  man  goes  to  Little  Talassee.  You 
will  not  harm  him.  But,  if  you  see  white  man  turning  back 
before  reaching  McGillivray's  town,  you  may  know  he  is  a 
coward  and  treat  him  as  such." 

Ignoring  the  hostile  glances,  Sevier  glided  from  the  council- 
house  and  made  for  his  horse.  He  now  had  his  chance  to  go 
to  McGillivray  on  the  Coosa,  and  a  fringe  of  Cherokee  warriors 
would  see  to  it  that  he  did  not  turn  back  alive. 

Hurrying  to  the  corral,  he  saddled  his  horse  and  mounted 
and  confided : 

"Well,  old  fellow,  that's  where  I  reckon  to  go,  to  Little 
Talassee.  But  I^d  rather  go  alone  instead  of  being  chased 
there.     Coming  back  will  be  harder." 

As  he  rode  down  the  white  path,  he  kept  his  eyes  opened 
for  signs  of  Polcher.  He  did  not  anticipate  any  attack  from 
the  tavern-keeper  until  he  left  the  vicinity  of  the  village,  for 
Watts  must  have  warned  that  no  blood  was  to  be  shed  so 
long  as  the  path  was  white.  When  he  struck  into  the  main 
trail  leading  southwest,  then  he  would  be  traversing  a  red 
way,  and  there  would  be  no  ancient  law  holding  Polcher 
back.  However,  that  was  a  detail  to  be  attended  to  when 
encountered.  What  worried  him  considerably  was  not  the 
tavern-keeper,  sure  to  be  in  ambush  somewhere  ahead,  but 
Kirk  Jackson  and  the  Tonpits. 


118  EED  BELTS 

He  had  barely  cleared  the  outskirts  of  the  village  when  he 
discovered  some  one  was  following  him.  He  reined  in,  ex- 
pecting to  behold  the  van  of  the  Cherokees  coming  to  make 
sure  he  did  not  double  back  to  the  north.  But  there  was  but 
one  man,  and  he  ran  with  no  efforts  at  concealment.  To 
the  contrary  he  now  began  calling  Sevier  by  his  Cherokee 
name,  "  Tsan-usdi." 

"  I  am  here,"  called  out  Sevier. 

As  the  Cherokee  burst  into  view,  the  borderer  recognized 
him  as  the  father  of  the  little  girl  who  prayed  to  the  beaver. 

"  You  want  me  ?  "  Sevier  asked. 

"  I  go  with  you.     Old  Tassel  has  spoken  it.'' 

"  How  far  do  you  go  with  me  ?  '' 

"  Until  we  reach  the  land  of  the  Creeks.'' 

"  To  see  that  I  do  not  turn  back,"  sneered  Sevier. 

"  To  see  no  bad  Indians  cross  your  path,"  was  the  grave 
correction. 

Sevier's  hostility  vanished.  Old  Tassel  feared  his  promise 
of  safe  passage  might  be  violated  by  some  of  the  younger  men 
and  wished  to  shift  all  responsibility  of  the  borderers  fate 
on  to  the  Creeks.  Still  half  a  measure  of  solicitude  was 
decent  of  him,  and  Sevier  knew  he  had  him  won  from  thoughts 
of  war  for  the  time  being  at  least. 

''  You  are  ?  " 

"  The  Jumper,  of  the  Ani-Kawi." 

"  A  man  of  the  Deer  clan  should  know  the  trails.  We  will 
go  on.  Little  Brother.  Tell  me  when  the  white  path  turns 
red." 

"  I  will  tell  you,"  grunted  the  Indian. 

"  Tell  me  where  is  the  man  called  Polcher  ?  " 

"  In  the  forest.     Somewhere  along  the  red  path." 

Trotting  ahead,  the  Jumper  led  the  way  for  several  miles, 
and  yet  Sevier  could  detect  no  signs  of  Cherokees  in  the  rear. 


ON  THE  WHITE  PATH  119 

He  said  as  much  to  the  Jumper,  who  drew  a  half-circle  in  the 
air  behind  him,  saying : 

"  They  are  from  there  to  there.  We  shall  not  see  them  so 
long  as  we  go  toward  the  Coosa/' 

"  It  is  well,"  said  Sevier. 

The  Jumper  raised  a  hand  and  then  threw  himself  prostrate 
with  his  ear  to  the  ground.  Sevier  quieted  his  restless  horse 
and  listened.  He  heard  nothing.  The  Indian  rose  and 
informed : 

"  Men  come.     We  must  leave  the  trail." 

"  Why  should  we  hide.  Little  Brother  ?  What  is  there  to 
fear  along  the  white  path  that  leads  to  the  white  town  ?  " 

"  Nothing  to  fear  from  men  of  my  colour,^'  said  the  Jumper 
with  a  touch  of  irony.  "  But  I  can  not  answer  for  the 
whites." 

"  AYliite  men ! "  exclaimed  Sevier,  dismounting  and  lead- 
ing his  horse  aside  and  into  cover. 

His  first  thoughts  were  of  Tonpit,  the  man  who,  despite 
his  weakness  and  ambitions,  was  so  necessary  to  Spain  and 
Charles  Ill's  field  representative,  Alexander  McGillivray. 

"  They  bring  horses  to  trade  in  Great  Hiwassee,"  the 
Indian  added. 

Sevier's  hopes  feU,  then  rebounded  as  he  discredited  the 
Indian's  ability  to  know  who  was  coming  and  their  purpose. 
Thus  far  he  had  been  able  to  detect  nothing  but  the  usual 
forest  sounds. 

"  How  do  you  know  that  ?  "  he  demanded. 

"  Some  of  the  horses  have  no  riders." 

Sceptical,  Sevier  composed  himself  to  wait  in  patience. 
After  what  seemed  a  long  time,  there  came  a  burst  of  voices 
and  the  trampling  of  hoofs,  and  above  the  confusion  roared  a 
coarse  voice  hurling  curses  at  animals  and  men. 

"  Hajason !  "  muttered  the  Jumper,  his  face  scowling. 


120  EED  BELTS 

"  Eed  Hajason ! "  softly  cried  Sevier,  mechanically  shifting 
his  rifle. 

The  Jumper  touched  his  hand  as  it  lay  on  the  gun,  and  he 
warned : 

'^  You  must  not  think  of  that.  You  are  still  in  the  white 
path." 

Sevier  lowered  the  rifle  and  asked  — 

"  Does  he  trade  at  Hiwassee  ?  " 

The  Indian  nodded.  Had  not  Sevier's  errand  concerned 
the  fate  of  the  Western  settlements,  he  would  have  considered 
his  Journey  well  worth  the  danger  just  for  an  opportunity 
to  confront  and  kill  this  man  whose  name  was  anathema  from 
the  Watauga  to  the  French  Broad  and  throughout  the  Caro- 
linas  east  of  the  mountains. 

^Mierever  horses  were  stolen  and  hurried  to  hidden  forest 
depots,  the  name  of  Eed  Hajason  was  known  and  detested. 
That  he  continued  to  carry  on  his  thievery  was  due  to  his 
practice  of  sending  agents  to  do  the  actual  work  while  he 
remained  in  his  stronghold  somewhere  at  the  headwaters  of 
the  Hiwassee  Eiver  in  the  southwestern  corner  of  North 
Carolina.  When  not  at  this  camp,  it  was  said  he  made  his 
home  over  the  line  in  South  Carolina,  "  that  delight  of 
buccaneers  and  pyrates,"  as  the  Eev.  Hugh  Jones,  chaplain 
to  the  honourable  Assembly  of  Virginia,  characterized  that 
commonwealth  in  1750. 

Border-folks,  however,  denied  that  Eed  Hajason  was  com- 
pelled to  shuttle  back  and  forth  between  the  Hiwassee  and 
the  Tugalo  rivers  and  openly  charged  he  had  been  seen  in 
the  capital  of  North  Carolina,  seemingly  on  excellent  terms 
with  some  of  those  who  pretended  to  safeguard  the  destiny  of 
the  State.  This  would  not  be  surprising,  as  in  formative 
periods  the  devil  takes  advantage  of  chaos  to  walk  close  to 
saints. 

But  the  over-mountain  country  was  closed  ground  to  the 


ON  THE  WHITE  PATH  121 

king  of  liorse-thieves ;  there  was  no  doubting  that  fact.  A 
bullet  on  sight  was  what  he  would  receive  did  he  venture  forth 
where  he  sent  his  men.  Thus  it  had  happened  that  Sevier, 
while  having  had  the  pleasure  of  hanging  several  of  Red 
Hajason^s  tools,  had  never  looked  on  his  face. 

The  Jumper  increased  his  vigilance  and  cunningly  took 
Sevier's  horse  by  the  nose  to  prevent  a  whinney. 

"  We  must  go  deeper  into  the  woods,"  he  urged. 

"  Listen,  Little  Brother,  I  must  see  this  Red  Hajason," 
whispered  Sevier,  dismounting.  "  Take  the  horse  back.  I 
will  stay  here." 

"  This  path  is  white,"  frantically  protested  the  Indian, 
anticipating  from  Sevier's  frowning  visage  a  bloody  settlement 
with  the  outlaw. 

*^  My  eyes  can  not  shed  blood,"  soothed  Sevier.  "  He  shall 
pass  unharmed  —  this  time.     But  I  must  see  him." 

The  Jumper  reluctantly  led  the  horse  deeper  into  the  cover, 
and  Sevier  hid  himself  and  waited.  The  Cherokees  owned 
many  horses,  excellent  animals.  A  brisk  trade  was  carried 
on  between  the  friendly  Indians  and  the  settlers.  And  there 
was  much  trading  between  Cherokee  and  Creek,  only  it  was 
the  white  man's  horse  that  sometimes  went  to  the  Southern 
nation.  And  Hajason  traded  stolen  nags  for  honest  ones  and 
through  unsuspected  agents  sold  the  latter  to  the  whites. 

Hajason  was  not  dubbed  "  Red  "  because  of  rufescent  hair 
or  complexion.  He  was  Red  because  of  his  deeds,  his  readi- 
ness to  spill  the  blood  of  the  weaker.  Only  affairs  of  great 
importance  had  restrained  Sevier  from  taking  a  posse  of  his 
swift-riding  riflemen  and  running  down  the  scourge  long 
before  this. 

The  cavalcade  now  drew  near,  and  he  could  easily  make 
out  the  oaths  and  commands  being  shouted  in  English  by 
Hajason,  sprinkled  with  orders  in  the  Cherokee  tongue.  Now 
they  burst  into  view,  two  half-breeds  riding  ahead,  a  dozen 


122  EED  BELTS 

horses  following  them.  Bringing  up  the  rear  were  three 
white  men.  Sevier  had  eves  for  only  one  of  the  trio,  a  giant 
of  a  man,  whose  features  were  an  amazing  mass  of  brutality 
and  evil  passions,  whose  bearded  lips  opened  seldom  except 
to  permit  the  escape  of  a  blasphemy. 

His  companions  cowered  under  his  tongue-lashings,  while 
his  thunderous  epithets  hurled  at  the  head  of  the  drove  kept 
the  breeds  jumping  convulsively.  He  passed  within  a  dozen 
feet  of  Sevier,  and  the  borderer  had  ample  opportunity  to 
study  him  in  detail  and  time  to  regret  that  his  hands  were 
tied  by  the  ancient  law.  With  his  pistol  he  could  have 
obliterated  a  great  evil,  and  he  was  powerless  to  act. 

So  intent  was  he  on  scanning  the  outlaw's  burly  body  and 
repulsive  face  that  he  all  but  overlooked  the  horse  he  was 
riding.  The  moment  he  noticed  the  big  black  his  interest  in 
Eed  Hajason  became  a  minor  matter.  There  was  no  mis- 
taking the  animal.  Not  another  horse  on  the  border  that 
showed  those  white  knees,  for  all  the  world  like  two  bandages. 
The  horse  was  Tonpit's  favourite  mount.  Staring  incredu- 
lously, Sevier  darted  his  gaze  over  the  rest  of  the  animals 
and  found  the  small  bay  Miss  Elsie  always  rode. 

"  By  all  the  red  gods  in  the  East,  he's  got  the  major's 
and  the  girl's  nags ! "  gasped  the  borderer,  craning  his  neck 
and  risking  discovery  to  watch  the  cavalcade  move  up  the 
trail. 

Tonpit  and  his  daughter  had  disappeared  from  home  the 
night  of  Old  Thatch's  death.  Their  departure  was,  pre- 
sumably, the  result  of  the  Creek's  message  from  McGillivray. 
Lon  Hester  had  disappeared  the  same  night. 

"  They  were  bound  for  Little  Talassee,"  he  mused.  "  They 
rode  in  haste,  or  I  should  have  overtaken  them.  And  yet  the 
girl  had  to  have  time  to  rest.  Polcher  and  Hester  are  free 
to  come  and  go  among  the  Cherokees.  I  know  Polcher  is 
ahead,  waiting  for  me.     Hester  is  just  the  man  to  dicker 


ox  THE  WHITE  PATH  123 

with  Hajason  for  fresh  animals  for  the  major  and  the  girl. 
But  their  horses  appeared  to  be  fresh.     "Why  change  them  ?  " 

He  stared  longingly  np  the  trail,  fighting  down  his  im- 
pulse to  pursue  Red  Hajason  and  kill  him,  if  need  be,  to  get 
the  truth.  To  shed  blood  would  be  a  violation  of  the  law  he 
had  invoked  to  save  his  own  life.  He  heard  Hajason  shouting 
a  boisterous  greeting  in  the  Cherokee  tongue  and  knew  he 
had  glimpsed  some  of  the  warriors  advancing  on  either  side 
of  the  trail.  To  go  after  the  outlaw  and  scare  the  truth  from 
him  would  mean  an  encounter  with  the  Indians,  who  had  been 
ordered  to  treat  him  as  a  coward  did  the}^  catch  him  turning 
back.  They  would  not  slay  him  on  the  white  path,  but  they 
surely  would  make  him  a  prisoner. 

He  almost  wished  he  had  delayed  his  departure  until  Haja- 
son had  arrived.  And  yet,  had  Fate  worked  that  way,  new 
complications  would  have  arisen  and  the  trail  to  the  south 
might  not  have  been  open  to  him.  Xext  rose  the  puzzling 
point:  why  should  Hajason  come  in  person  to  superintend 
the  sale  or  exchange  of  a  dozen  horses?  The  outlaw  was  a 
villain  of  large  activities.  He  was  well  known  and  hospitably 
received  in  Great  Hiwassee.  His  immunity  to  danger  con- 
sisted in  leaving  details  to  his  subordinates. 

"  No !  "  growled  Sevier.  "  He  never  came  just  to  get  rid 
of  the  horses.  He  has  had  many  deals  with  this  town.  He 
could  have  sent  a  bov  and  a  talk  and  made  the  trade.  He 
came  for  a  purpose.  The  nags  happened  to  be  on  hand,  and 
he  fetched  them." 

The  Jumper  pressed  through  the  bushes  behind  him  and 
touched  his  shoulder  and  anxiously  insisted : 

"  Little  John  loses  much  time.  The  medicine  of  the  Deer 
tells  me  Death  creeps  down  the  trail,  even  though  it  be  a 
white  trail." 

And  he  nervously  fumbled  a  small  bag  hanging  round  his 
neck  and  rolled  his  eyes  in  alarm  toward  the  village. 


124  RED  BELTS 

"  I  am  ready,"  Sevier  said,  springing  into  the  saddle. 
"  Death  ever  lurks  where  Red  Hajason  is." 

"  Chief  Watts'  Chickamaugas  are  very  close,"  vrarned  the 
Jumper. 

^'  Let  them  come,"  was  the  careless  reply.  "  We  have  not 
turned  back,  not  so  much  as  a  foot."  And,  shaking  the  reins, 
he  rode  down  the  trail  with  his  guide  at  his  stirrup. 


CHAPTER  VII 

IN   THE  MAW   OF  THE   FOREST 

ONCE  they  struck  into  the  old  Creek  trail  the  Jumper 
went  on  ahead;  for  this  was  a  red  path  and  the  In- 
dian by  scouting  in  advance  was  supposed  to  reduce 
the  chances  of  a  surprise  attack  by  Polcher.  IS'ear  sundown 
they  came  to  a  small  creek  where  the  Jumper  wanted  to  camp 
for  the  night. 

"Let  my  brother  gather  wood  for  the  fire  while  I  look  about 
the  forest  for  signs/'  said  Sevier,  eager  to  reconnoiter  his 
back  trail. 

The  man  of  the  Deer  clan  guessed  his  purpose  and  re- 
minded — 

"  If  you  are  seen  turning  back,  if  only  for  a  few  steps, 
there  are  those  who  will  be  glad  to  kill  you." 

"  I  shall  not  be  seen  turning  back,''  reassured  Sevier.  "  I 
go  to  find  signs  and  kill  a  wild  turkey." 

"  The  forest  has  eyes  that  watch  you,"  warned  the  Jumper. 
"  My  medicine  has  told  me  that  Death  walks  along  the  Creek 
trail." 

"  Death  walks  everywhere,"  carelessly  returned  Sevier. 
"  And  it  skips  the  brave  to  touch  the  coward." 

Taking  his  rifle,  he  crossed  the  trail  and,  as  soon  as  he  was 
out  of  hearing  of  the  Cherokee  turned  north  and  made  for 
a  heavily  wooded  hill.  He  had  noted  this  elevation  shortly 
before  arriving  at  the  creek  and  knew  it  would  be  an  excellent 
vantage  point  for  spying  on  the  back  country.  He  ascended 
it  without  detecting  any  signs  of  his  trackers  and  lost  no 
time  in  climbing  a  tree.  The  stretch  of  country  he  had  cov- 
ered that  afternoon  was  spread  out  below  him  in  broad  relief. 

12.5 


126  EED  BELTS 

For  the  most  part  the  view  consisted  of  the  forest  crown  but 
there  were  occasional  openings  and  it  was  on  the  nearest  of 
these  that  he  focused  his  gaze. 

He  glimpsed  nothing  that  hinted  at  pursuit.  He  studied 
the  birds  but  was  unable  to  discover  any  symptoms  of  alarm. 
This  emptiness  of  the  trail  puzzled  him,  for  he  had  been 
convinced  his  every  step  would  be  dogged  until  he  crossed  into 
the  country  of  the  Creek.  Leaving  the  tree,  he  descended  the 
hill  and,  pausing  only  long  enough  to  knock  over  a  turkey, 
made  his  way  back  toward  the  creek. 

He  had  reached  a  point  due  east  from  the  camp  when  he 
was  startled  by  the  sharp  report  of  a  gun.  Dropping  the 
turkey,  he  ran  to  the  trail  and  crossed  it,  thinking  his  guide 
was  the  victim  of  some  treachery.  Before  he  came  in  sight 
of  the  fire  he  heard  the  Jumper  wailing  and  moaning,  and 
yet  not  as  one  who  cries  out  when  physically  hurt.  In  fact, 
he  knew  a  material  wound  could  elicit  no  complaint  from 
the  Jumper.  Slowing  his  pace,  he  advanced  more  cautiously 
and  halted  for  a  moment  at  the  edge  of  the  woods  and  surveyed 
the  Indian. 

The  Jumper  was  lamenting  in  a  dismal  manner.  He  was 
busy  trimming  some  small  branches  into  tiny  rods. 

Stepping  forth  Sevier  demanded  — 

"  Was  it  your  gun  I  heard  ?  " 

The  Jumper  groaned  and  held  up  the  small  rods.  There 
were  seven  of  them,  seven  being  the  sacred  number  of  his  peo- 
ple. Sevier  took  one  of  the  rods  and  examined  it.  He  found 
it  was  sourwood. 

"  You  have  killed  a  wolf  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  I  shot  at  one,  thinking  it  was  a  turkey  in  the  bushes," 
shivered  the  Jumper.  And  he  snatched  up  his  gun  and  be- 
gan unscrewing  the  barrel.  ^'  Kow  will  Kanati,  the  Lucky 
Hunter  whose  watch-dog  the  wolf  is,  be  very  angry  with  me. 
Already  I  feel  myself  turning  blue 


» 


IX  THE  MAW  OF  THE  FOEEST  127 

"  The  Luck}"  Hunter  will  know  it  was  a  mistake,"  soothed 
Sevier,  appreciating  how  serious  a  fault  it  was  for  any  but  the 
ceremonial  wolf-killer  to  shoot  at  a  wolf.  "  While  you  finish 
your  medicine  for  the  gun  I  will  go  back  and  get  the  turkey  I 
dropped." 

According  to  the  Cherokee  belief  the  gun  was  spoiled  unless: 
treated  at  once  hj  a  medicine-man.  In  the  absence  of  a 
shaman  one  must  make  his  own  medicine  as  best  he  could. 
As  Sevier  well  knew  the  incident  reduced  the  Indian's  value 
as  a  guide  and  scout  to  zero.  As  a  fighter  he  had  become 
nil.  Even  if  the  bad  spirit  could  be  immediately  exorcised 
from  the  offending  barrel  the  Jumper  would  not  dare  fire  it  at 
a  lurking  foe  for  fear  of  making  another  mistake  and  re- 
kindling the  rage  of  the  mighty  Kanati.  And  those  who 
stalked  the  borderer  along  a  red  path  would  not  show  them- 
selves for  an  open  shot. 

Disturbed  by  the  incident  Sevier  recovered  the  turkey  and 
hastened  back.  The  Jumper  was  heating  the  slim  rods  over 
a  small  fire  near  the  edge  of  the  water  and  as  Sevier  came  up 
he  commenced  inserting  them  in  the  gun-barrel.  Sevier 
watched  him  in  silence  as  he  completed  his  task  and  leaned 
forward  to  place  the  defiled  barrel  in  the  creek,  where  it  must 
remain  for  the  night. 

Turning  back,  the  Jumper  plucked  the  turkey  and  prepared 
it  for  the  coals,  groaning  and  grimacing  as  he  worked  but 
taking  no  heed  of  his  white  companion. 

"  What  is  it  now,  my  brotlier  ?  "  asked  Sevier. 

"  The  Crippler  (rheumatism)  has  me,"  lamented  the 
Jumper,  rubbing  his  legs.     "  I  have  angered  a  Deer  ghost." 

"You  shall  make  a  prayer  to  the  Black,  Blue  and  AVhite 
Ravens.  The  Two  Little  Men  of  the  Sun  Land  shall  come 
and  drive  the  intruder  away,"  comforted  Sevier. 

"  Only  a  shaman  can  make  the  prayer,"  was  the  doleful 
reply. 


128  EED  BELTS 

Sevier  turned  away  in  disgust.  He  had  counted  on  the 
Jumper  as  a  powerful  all}'  for  defensive  work  at  least.  His 
woodcraft  and  sharp  ears  and  eyes  would  be  invaluable  in  de- 
tecting the  secret  approach  of  Polcher.  Now  his  superstitions 
had  changed  him  from  an  asset  to  a  liability.  It  was  useless 
to  argue  with  him.  Deer  ghosts  sent  rheumatism  as  a  pun- 
ishment for  some  deer  killed  without  placating  the  spirit. 

Every  one  knew  that  the  Little  Deer,  chief  of  all  Deer  spir- 
its, watched  over  all  his  subjects.  Never  could  one  fall  by  the 
hunter's  arrow  or  bullet  without  the  Little  Deer  standing  at 
the  victim's  side  and  asking  the  clotted  blood  if  "  it  had 
heard '' ;  that  is  if  the  blood  had  heard  the  hunter  begging 
forgiveness  for  the  life  he  had  taken.  Obviously  the  Jumper 
at  some  time  had  failed  to  repeat  the  prayer  and  as  a  result 
he  was  now  useless. 

"  I  can  not  sleep  tonight.  I  will  keep  watch,"  mumbled 
the  Jumper  after  the  turkey  had  been  served. 

''' Siyu!  (good)"  agreed  Sevier,  thankful  for  a  chance 
to  snatch  a  few  hours  of  sleep. 

He  had  slumbered  for  several  hours  when  a  bullet  clipped 
into  the  boll  of  a  hemlock  near  his  head  and  brought  him  to 
his  feet,  rifle  in  hand.  The  Jumper,  with  protruding  eyes 
and  gaping  mouth,  sat  leaning  against  a  tree.  He  made  no 
move  to  investigate  the  murderous  assault.  The  fire  was 
down  to  a  bed  of  coal. 

Without  a  word  Sevier  glided  into  the  woods.  Polcher  had 
had  his  first  try,  he  concluded.  He  circled  the  camp  and 
halted  every  few  rods  to  locate  the  enemy  by  some  telltale 
sound.  Unsuccessful,  he  returned  to  the  fire  and  lay  down 
at  a  distance  from  the  dying  embers.  The  Jumper  already 
had  concealed  himself  in  some  thicket.  With  the  first  streak 
of  dawn  the  borderer  rose  and  dug  the  Jumper  from  his  hid- 
ing-place under  a  huge  stump  and  ordered  him  to  scout  the 
woods  for  signs  of  the  midnight  visitor. 


IX  THE  MAW  or  THE  FOREST  139 

But  the  Jumper  was  now  far  beyond  the  point  of  suffering 
fear  of  bodily  violence.  His  brains  swarmed  with  outraged 
ghosts.  Strange  superstitions  crawled  through  his  thoughts. 
During  the  night  his  medicine-bag  had  become  dislodged  from 
his  neck,  a  most  conclusive  warning  that  the  Little  Deer  was 
greatly  displeased  with  him.  The  danger  of  assassination 
did  not  impress  him  as  being  vital.  Bad  Luck  had  settled 
her  talons  in  his  soul ;  beside  which  bullets  were  nothing. 

**'  Will  you  go  or  not  ?  ^'  asked  Sevier  as  the  Indian  tarried 
by  the  white  ashes  and  stared  timidly  about. 

"  Last  night  I  dreamed  of  the  Little  Deer^  small  as  a  dog 
and  white,"  he  whispered.  "  He  told  me  to  go  back  to  the 
village  and  give  cloth  to  the  shaman,  who  will  make  me  a 
prayer  and  give  me  new  medicine.  Ah !  The  Crippler  is 
twisting  every  bone  in  my  body." 

''  Old  Tassel  sent  you  to  go  with  me/'  persisted  Sevier. 

"  Xo  chief  of  the  Cherokees  gives  orders  after  the  Little 
Deer  has  spoken/'  rebuked  the  Jumper. 

'•  Of  course ;  that  is  true/'  surrendered  Sevier,  now  resigned 
to  proceeding  alone. 

The  Jumper  dragged  himself  to  the  creek  and  removed  the 
gun-barrel  and  plucked  out  the  rods,  then  cleaned  the  barrel 
and  screwed  it  in  place.  That  the  man  he  had  been  so  so- 
licitous for  the  day  before  should  now  stand  in  deadly  danger 
made  no  impression  on  him.  His  own  soul  was  in  imminent 
peril  of  turning  blue.  The  anger  of  the  Deer  ghosts  remained 
unappeased.  He  could  only  think  of  hastening  home  and 
bankrupting  himself  in  order  to  buy  the  shaman's  interces- 
sion. 

With  head  bowed  and  moving  listlessly  he  went  up  the 
trail.  Only  once  did  a  flicker  of  yesterday's  zeal  show  in  his 
sombre  eyes;  that  was  when  he  halted  and  glanced  back  to 
warn  — 

"You  are  in  a  red  path  now." 


130  EED  BELTS 

Sevier  nodded  and  answered  — 

"So  the  bullet  fired  in  the  night  told  me/' 

The  Jumper  resumed  his  gloomy  way  and  the  borderer  sad- 
dled his  horse  and  rode  south. 

John  Watts  had  charge  of  the  warriors  enforcing  this  trip 
to  the  Coosa.  The  mystery  of  their  failure  to  appear  on  the 
trail  while  he  was  spying  from  the  hilltop  was  now  quite 
obvious.  Watts  dared  not  slay  until  Chucky  Jack  endeav- 
oured to  return  through  the  land  of  the  Cherokee,  but  he  was 
perfectly  willing  to  hold  his  warriors  back  and  give  Polcher 
his  chance  to  make  a  "  kill." 

Polcher,  however,  must  be  mounted,  which  would  necessi- 
tate his  sticking  close  to  the  trail  if  he  would  not  have  his 
victim  leave  him  far  behind.  Sevier  found  some  consolation 
in  this  thought  and,  leaning  over  the  neck  of  his  horse,  he 
looked  for  signs  and  found  them  within  a  mile  from  the 
creek.  The  traces  indicated  that  the  tavern-keeper  had  left 
his  horse  near  the  trail  while  he  beat  back  through  the  woods 
to  shoot  at  the  shadowy  form  by  the  dying  fire.  On  return- 
ing to  his  horse,  so  the  signs  read,  he  had  led  him  some  dis- 
tance, then  mounted  to  spur  on  as  fast  as  the  night  would 
permit. 

A  glance  told  Sevier  these  truths,  and  red  rage  smouldered 
in  his  heart  as  he  pictured  the  man  withdrawing  before  him 
and  planning  murder,  while  the  Cherokees  formed  an  im- 
placable barrier  to  drive  liim  to  his  slayer.  His  anger  did 
not  blind  his  woods  sense,  however ;  and  when  the  forest  prom- 
ised decent  travel  for  his  mount  he  swung  from  the  path  and 
made  wide  detours.  Once  he  came  upon  tracks  of  a  horse 
in  the  forest  mould  and  decided  his  foe  was  indulging  in  a 
similar  manoeuvre. 

Yet  the  day  passed  without  any  demonstration  from  the 
man  ahead  or  any  sign  of  the  Cherokees  behind.  Both  red 
and  white  were  in  their  places,  never  a  doubt  of  that.     At 


IX  THE  MAW  OF  THE  FOREST  131 

sundown  Sevier  found  water  and  followed  it  some  distance 
from  the  trail.  Selecting  a  small  circle  of  cedars  he  made 
his  fire  where  he  could  not  be  seen  unless  the  prowler  ap- 
proached very  close.  He  had  saved  enough  of  the  turkey  to 
suffice  him  for  food ;  and  after  the  first  darkness  came  to  hide 
his  movements  he  shifted  his  horse  up-stream.  Eeturning  to 
the  cedars,  he  gathered  small  boughs  and  rolled  them  in  his 
blanket.  Then,  heaping  fresh  fuel  on  the  fire,  he  withdrew 
into  the  night  and  took  up  his  position  between  the  sprawling 
roots  of  a  mighty  oak. 

He  planned  to  sleep  through  the  first  of  the  night,  being 
confident  no  prowler  would  approach  the  cedars  so  long  as  the 
blazing  fire  suggested  he  was  awake  and  alert.  The  flames 
would  consolidate  into  coals  about  midnight ;  it  was  then  that 
any  lurking  assassin  would  seek  the  blanketed  decoy. 

With  the  woods  instinct  he  timed  his  slumber  accurately. 
As  he  opened  his  eyes  and  caught  the  reek  of  the  smouldering 
fire  and  beheld  the  glowing  coals  staring  through  the  foliage 
he  softly  rose  to  one  knee  and  raised  his  rifle. 

The  disturbing  voice  of  a  screech-owl  raised  his  tva-huhu. 
Sevier  pricked  his  ears,  then  relaxed  as  the  dismal  notes  were 
repeated.  They  were  genuine  and  no  Indian  signal.  This 
corroborated  his  theory  that  Chief  Watts'  men  were  holding 
back  to  give  the  mixed-blood  every  opportunity  to  kill.  Some- 
thing stirred  on  the  borderer's  left,  a  faint  rustling.  The 
smoke  from  the  fire  would  have  repelled  a  night  animal. 

The  darkness  made  vision  useless  except  as  he  gazed  to- 
ward the  coals.  He  aimed  his  rifle  at  these.  A  minute 
passed  and  the  glowing  coals  vanished,  advertising  the  inter- 
vention of  a  solid  body. 

With  finger  on  the  trigger  Sevier  waited  for  a  count  of 
ten,  when  the  explosion  of  the  assassin's  rifle  tore  a  red  hole 
in  blackness.  Almost  at  the  same  moment  Sevier  fired. 
Something  collapsed  and  the  twinkling  embers  reappeared. 


132  RED  BELTS 

As  he  fired  the  borderer  fell  flat  and  remained  motionless. 
The  silence  shut  in  again.  The  adventure  was  finished.  Yet 
Sevier  held  back  until  he  had  reloaded.  Then,  armed  with 
rifie  and  ax,  he  edged  forward.  He  had  covered  half  the  dis- 
tance to  the  cedars  when  his  moccasin  touched  something 
that  impelled  him  to  drop  his  gun  and  spring  forward. 

But  the  form  he  grasped  made  no  effort  at  defence.  Grop- 
ing about  until  he  found  the  hands  and  had  made  sure  they 
held  no  weapons,  he  dragged  the  limp  figure  up  to  the  fire 
and  dropped  some  dry  grass  on  the  coals.  The  flames  flared 
up  and  revealed  the  face  of  the  dead  man.  It  was  not  Polcher 
but  one  of  the  two  whites  who  had  ridden  with  Red  Hajason. 

With  a  smothered  exclamation  of  surprise  he  drew  back 
under  the  bushy  boughs  and  crouched  on  his  heels.  He  ob- 
served b}'  the  expiring  light  where  the  bullet  had  pierced  his 
blanket  and  he  had  no  regrets  for  tlie  death  he  had  dealt.  He 
was  chagrined,  however,  for  not  anticipating  Red  Hajason's 
entrance  into  the  grim  game.  It  was  to  afford  the  outlaws 
a  chance  to  strike,  rather  than  to  give  Polcher  a  clear  field, 
that  the  Cherokees  were  moving  leisurely.  Hajason  imme- 
diately on  arriving  at  Great  Hiwassee  must  have  learned  from 
Chief  Watts  about  the  white  man  riding  for  the  Coosa.  And 
how  many  men  had  Hajason  sent  down  the  trail?  Was  he 
one  of  the  trailers  ? 

^  "  I  only  wish  he'd  been  this  chap,"  muttered  Sevier. 
"  That  peace  law  is  bad  medicine  when  it  stopped  me  from 
shooting  him  on  sight.^' 

Wa-huhu  called  a  screech-owl.  Another  owl  answered  from 
the  east  and  another  from  the  west. 

"  The  Cherokees,"  he  murmured,  securing  his  blanket  and 
stealing  from  the  cedars  and  making  for  his  horse.  "  They 
heard  the  two  shots  and  are  puzzled  to  know  how  it  came  out." 

Wa-huhu  came  the  call,  now  much  nearer.     And  the  notes 


IN  THE  MAW  OF  THE  FOREST  133 

were  tinged  with  impatience,  as  if  the  dead  man  had  prom- 
ised to  answer. 

Sevier  threw  back  his  head  and  sent  the  answer  ringing 
through  the  forest  aisles. 

He  was  now  convinced  his  life  would  be  in  peril  every 
mile  of  the  way  to  the  Creek  country.  Old  Tasvsel  had  feared 
he  might  come  to  harm  while  in  the  Cherokee  country  and 
had  sought  to  evade  responsibility  by  sending  the  Jumper 
to  guard  him.  What  might  happen  to  him  after  he  crossed 
the  southern  boundary  did  not  concern  the  old  chief.  But 
Polcher,  Watts  and  Hajason  were  determined  he  should  never 
reach  Little  Talassee.  He  summed  the  situation  up  by  tell- 
ing himself: 

"  From  now  on  I  must  push  ahead  as  fast  as  possible.  I 
can't  be  watching  for  Polcher  and  at  the  same  time  dodge  the 
gang  behind  me." 

Yet  one  must  sleep  and  a  horse  must  rest  even  though  two- 
score  Cherokees  were  stealing  like  ghouls  about  the  abandoned 
camp-fire  and  its  dead  man.  So,  shifting  his  blanket  to  a 
deep  covert  and  trusting  that  his  horse  would  not  be  found, 
he  slept. until  sunrise.  He  sought  his  horse  only  after  mak- 
ing a  circle  around  the  animal ;  for  if  other  killers  were  in  the 
vicinity  and  had  stumbled  upon  the  horse  they  would  wait 
there  in  ambush,  knowing  the  sun  would  bring  their  victim. 

But  no  one  was  in  hiding  near  the  horse;  and  he  threw  on 
the  saddle  and  returned  to  the  main  trail  without  being  mo- 
lested. He  rode  at  a  furious  gallop  and  had  covered  a  mile 
before  being  reminded  of  the  enemy.  A  rifle  spat  at  him 
from  the  brush  and  he  fancied  he  felt  the  wind  of  the  bullet. 
His  only  notice  of  it  was  to  throw  himself  flat  over  the  saddle- 
horn  and  urge  his  mount  to  greater  efforts. 

For  several  miles  he  rode  at  top  speed  and  slowed  down  only 
when  confronted  by  a  swampy  stretch  bordering  a  sluggish 


134  EED  BELTS 

creek.  Dismounting,  he  placed  his  ear  to  the  ground  and 
caught  the  thud-thud  of  pursuing  hoofs.  Wlien  standing 
erect  he  was  unable  to  hear  the  hoof -beats,  and  he  knew  he  had 
ample  time  to  make  the  miry  ford.  Walking  ahead  to  test 
the  footing,  he  soon  waded  the  creek  and  helped  his  mount 
up  the  bank  and  gained  firm  ground.  Springing  into  the  sad- 
dle, he  rode  a  few  rods  up  the  trail  and  backed  off  behind  some 
hemlocks  and  cocked  his  rifle. 

The  minutes  passed.  Perfect  serenity  seemed  to  mark 
the  trail  and  the  surrounding  forest.  Then  wild  fowls  rose 
from  the  creeks  and  winged  away.  Peeping  from  his  hiding- 
place,  he  beheld  a  white  man  afoot  leading  a  horse.  The 
animal  was  a  big  black,  and  a  second  glance  noted  the  white 
knees.  It  was  Major  Tonpit's  favourite  steed.  The  man 
halted  at  the  edge  of  the  swamp  and  studied  the  tracks. 
Then,  climbing  into  the  saddle,  he  urged  the  horse  into  the 
muck.  x\s  he  lifted  his  head  to  examine  the  opposite  bank 
Sevier  recognized  him  as  another  of  the  trio  who  rode  with 
Hajason  behind  the  drove. 

Possessed  with  the  notion  of  making  the  fellow  a  captive 
and  learning  something  from  him  about  his  master,  Sevier 
spurred  into  the  open  just  as  his  tracker  reached  the  middle 
of  the  ford.     Sevier  flung  up  his  left  hand  and  cried  — 

*^  Up  with  your  hands !  ^' 

The  man  stared  at  him,  nonplussed  for  a  second,  then  rec- 
ognized him  and  threw  up  both  hands  and  fired.  Without 
raising  his  own  gun  Sevier  pulled  the  trigger,  the  two  reports 
sounding  as  one.  The  borderer  felt  his  brown  hair  twitch; 
his  opponent  toppled  off  into  the  creek.  The.  black  horse 
wheeled  with  a  shrill  whinny  of  alarm  and  dashed  frantically 
back  over  the  trail. 

"  Two !  '^  Sevier  ejaculated,  pricking  on  toward  the  fron- 
tier of  the  Creek  country.  ''That  whittles  Eed  Ilajason's 
fighting  strength  down  quite  a  bit.     Unless  he's  back  there 


m  THE  MAW  OF  THE  FOEEST  135 

I  shouldn't  stand  in  any  more  danger  from  that  direction. 
Xow  to  watch  out  for  Polcher." 

On  gaining  an  elevation  that  commanded  a  view  of  the  last 
ford  he  reined  in  and  glanced  back.  A  score  of  Cherokee 
warriors  were  swarming  across  the  creek.  One  stumbled  and 
fell  over  the  dead  man,  and  by  the  commotion  the  discovery 
created  Sevier  knew  they  were  greatly  excited.  They  carried 
the  body  back  to  the  bank,  then  held  a  council  as  though 
hesitating  as  to  what  course  they  should  pursue.  Finally  a 
runner  was  despatched  to  the  rear  and  the  band  came  on; 
only  now  they  moved  cautiously,  as  if  suspicious  of  every 
bush  and  tree. 

Sevier  smiled  in  quiet  satisfaction.  He  was  sure  he  had 
cleaned  out  the  white  assassins,  else  the  Indians  would  have 
waited  for  a  third  to  precede  them.  For  the  rest  of  the 
day  he  nursed  his  speed,  walking  much  to  rest  his  horse  and 
racing  madly  only  when  the  trail  stretched  in  a  straight  line 
for  any  distance.  Whether  afoot  or  flashing  down  the  leafy 
alley  at  break-neck  pace,  he  momentarily  expected  the  tavern- 
keeper  to  announce  his  presence  with  singing  lead.  Abrupt 
turns  in  the  path  were  negotiated  carefully,  some  being 
avoided  bv  detours.  Xidit  found  him  far  advanced  on  his 
journey  without  having  discerned  any  signs  of  Cherokees  or 
Polcher. 

At  last  he  stood  at  the  edge  of  Little  Talassee.  His  ride 
through  the  Creek  country  had  been  accompanied  by  stealth 
and  superb  woodcraft  and  had  been  uneventful.  The  wan- 
dering bands  of  warriors  that  might  have  intercepted  him 
were  avoided  without  much  effort.  This  taught  him  the 
Creeks  did  not  imagine  a  hostile  white  man  was  so  far  within 
their  territorv.  It  also  carried  the  conviction  that  Polcher 
took  it  for  granted  Eed  Hajason's  men  would  prevent  his  com- 
ing. This  belief  necessitated  the  conclusion  that  some  of  the 
Cherokee  runners  had  passed  round  him  and  informed  the 


136  EED  BELTS 

tavern-keeper  he  need  bother  no  longer  with  Chucky  Jack  as 
others  had  undertaken  the  work  of  removing  him. 

Sevier  had  timed  the  last  leg  of  his  journey  so  as  to  permit 
an  entrance  to  the  village  after  sundown.  From  his  hiding- 
place  he  halted  and  observed  the  emperor's  home.  It  was  a 
large  handsome  house,  pleasingly  situated  back  from  the 
river  and  surrounded  by  shade  trees  and  extensive  beds  of 
flowers.  The  grounds  presented  nothing  to  view  which  would 
suggest  the  red  man.  It  might  have  been  a  bit  of  Pensa- 
cola  or  Xew  Orleans.  It  was  the  environment  of  a  white 
man. 

Back  of  the  big  house  were  some  two-score  neat  little  cabins 
that  constituted  the  slave-quarters,  while  scattered  about  the 
residence  in  a  seemingly  haphazard  manner  were  outbuildings 
for  supplies  and  equipment.  The  entire  effect  on  the  borderer 
was  that  of  a  town  rather  than  Emperor  McGillivray's  private 
estate. 

Near  Sevier's  hiding-place  was  a  large  corral  fiUed  with 
horses.  Other  animals  grazed  outside.  Waiting  until  eve- 
ning had  blurred  the  landscape,  Sevier  left  his  horse  to  graze 
and  ventured  among  the  outbuildings.  From  the  opposite 
side  of  the  grounds  came  a  chorus  of  melodious  voices  as  the 
slaves  sang  and  made  merry.  Lights  sprang  up  in  the  big 
house,  fires  twinkled  before  the  cabins  in  the  slave-quarters, 
but  the  edge  of  the  estate  where  Sevier  reconnoitred  seemed 
deserted. 

He  had  stolen  by  a  sleepy  herder  and  with  a  horseman's 
love  had  paused  to  admire  the  many  excellent  animals  when 
a  big  bay  passed  near  him  and  caused  him  to  start  convul- 
sively. There  was  no  mistaking  the  bay.  It  was  one  of 
Stetson's  nags,  and  he  would  have  taken  oath  it  was  in  Jones- 
boro  the  night  of  his  departure.  "Wondering  at  the  mystery 
of  it  all,  he  rounded  a  long  structure  that  was  used  as  a 


IN  THE  MAW  OF  THE  FOEEST  137 

granary'  and  dropped  as  though  shot  as  a  light  flared  up 
within  twenty  feet  of  him. 

An  Indian  had  stepped  from  the  end  of  a  cabin  and  had 
revived  a  smouldering  torch  by  swinging  it  violently  round 
his  head.  Sevier  remained  motionless,  his  travel-stained  for- 
est dress  blending  with  the  shadows  and  logs.  But  the  Creek 
had  no  eyes  for  intruders.  Besides  the  torch  he  carried  a 
shallow  w^ooden  platter  of  steaming  food.  Intent  on  his  busi- 
ness he  walked  to  the  window  of  the  cabin  and,  after  thrust- 
ing his  torch  into  a  socket,  shoved  the  platter  through  a  nar- 
row aperture  beneath  the  window,  grunting  unintelligibly 
all  the  time. 

For  the  first  time  Sevier  discovered  the  cabin  was  used 
as  a  place  of  detention,  for  there  were  iron  bars  across  the 
window.  The  face  of  a  white  man  pressed  against  the  bars 
and  the  prisoner  said  something  to  the  Creek. 

Sevier  sucked  in  his  breath  and  then  gasped : 

"  Kirk  Jackson !  So  that's  the  reason  for  Stetson's  nag 
being  down  here.     Kirk  Jackson,  and  he's  a  prisoner ! '' 

The  Indian  removed  the  torch  and  walked  round  the  end 
of  the  cabin.  Sevier  glided  forward.  Jackson  had  retired 
from  the  window.  The  borderer  glanced  over  his  shoulder 
to  make  sure  no  more  torches  were  approaching  and,  confi- 
dent no  one  could  discover  him  unless  by  physical  contact,  he 
seized  the  iron  bars  and  shook  them  gently,  and  called  Jackson 
by  name. 

There  was  a  moment  of  intense  silence,  then  a  cautious 
voice  whispered  — 

"  Who  is  it  ? '' 

"  Sevier.     Chucky  Jack.'^ 

"  Good  Lord !  What  luck !  "  Jackson  fervently  murmured, 
and  his  face  came  close  to  the  bars  and  his  hand  was  thrust 
to  grasp  that  of  the  borderer.     "  The  door  is  fastened  on  the 


138  EED  BELTS 

outside.     No  danger  here  of  any  one  setting  a  prisoner  free. 
Throw  up  the  bar — ^' 

He  choked  the  rest  off  with  a  groan  of  dismay  and  Sevier 
began  to  face  about  Just  as  a  familiar  voice  exulted : 

"  Now,  you,  I  have  you  where  I  want  you !     There 

are  no  white  paths  here !  " 

And  before  Sevier  could  close  in  the  newcomer  thrust  a 
pistol  in  his  face  and  pulled  the  trigger.  The  weapon  missed 
fire.  The  borderer's  outflung  hand  caught  his  assailant's 
wrist,  the  other  fumbling  for  the  throat. 

"  Help  !     Help  !     This  way !  "  yelled  the  man  in  English. 

"  Polcher !  "  roared  Sevier,  forgetting  his  danger  from  the 
Creeks. 

And  he  redoubled  his  efforts  to  get  at  the  man's  throat. 

But  Polcher  was  fighting  purely  on  the  defensive  and 
evading  the  groping  fingers. 

"  Look  out,  Jack  !  "  yelled  Jackson  at  the  window. 

Sevier  glanced  about  to  see  whence  came  the  new  danger 
and  at  first  thought  the  cabin  was  on  fire.  This  fancy  was 
instantly  dispelled  by  the  appearance  of  several  torches  round 
the  corner,  and  before  he  could  think  to  release  Polcher  and 
make  a  break  for  it  a  dozen  Creek  warriors  had  penned 
him  in  against  the  cabin.  Polcher  wrenched  himself  free 
and  with  a  howl  of  rage  leaped  to  an  Indian  and  snatched 
an  ax. 

^^  Stand  back  there,  Polcher ! "  cried  a  clear,  strong  voice 
using  faultless  English.  "What  the  devil  do  you  mean  by 
prowling  'round  my  gaol  and  raising  a  riot  like  this  ?  " 

As  the  newcomer  passed  through  the  circle  Sevier  beheld  a 
tall,  slender  figure  of  commanding  carriage,  and  a  dark,  im- 
movable face.  The  man  was  faultlessly  dressed  after  the 
fashion  of  the  seaboard  cities.  In  his  hand  he  carried  a  light 
riding-whip.  And  Sevier  knew  he  had  met  Alexander  Mc- 
Gillivray,  Emperor  of  the  Creeks. 


IN  THE  MAW  OF  THE  FOEEST  139 

"What's  the  matter  with  you?  Why  don't  you  speak?" 
sharply  demanded  McGillivray. 

Polcher  chuckled  sardonically  and  pointed  to  Sevier  lean- 
ing against  the  wall  and  informed : 

"You  have  another  guest,  your  Majesty.  He  was  trying 
to  kill  me." 

"  That  is  why  you  snapped  your  pistol  in  my  ear  before  I 
saw  you,  I  suppose/'  dryly  spoke  up  Sevier,  now  stepping 
forward  to  meet  the  emperor. 

McGillivray  snatched  a  torch  from  one  of  the  warriors  and 
thrust  the  flame  close  to  Sevier's  face. 

"  And  who  the  devil  are  you  ?  "  he  curiously  asked,  his  eyes 
twinkling  in  appreciation  as  they  ranged  up  and  down  the 
lithe,  upright  figure. 

"John  Sevier,  of  the  Xolichucky,  come  all  the  way  from 
Jonesboro  to  talk  with  you,"  was  the  calm  reply. 

" !  Nolichucky  Jack?  And  here?"  cried  McGilli- 
vray, his  French  blood  overwhelming  his  usual  Indian  taci- 
turnity. 

"  They  call  me  that  among  other  names,"  modestly  admitted 
Sevier.     "  W^ishing  to  see  you,  I  had  to  come  here." 

"Well,  I  admire  your  courage,"  declared  McGillivray,  his 
dark  eyes  slightly  bewildered.  "  Why  were  you  fighting  with 
Polcher  ?  " 

"  Because  he  snapped  a  pistol  in  my  face  and  said  he  had 
me  where  he  wanted  me.  Oh,  I'd  have  jumped  him  anyway. 
He  only  happened  to  see  me  first.  I've  promised  myself  that 
some  time  1  shall  hang  him  for  a  murder  he  committed." 

McGillivray's  black  brows  drew  down. 

"  Have  a  care,  sir,"  he  curtly  warned.  "  Alexander  Mc- 
Gillivray is  the  only  man  who  gives  the  law  in  the  country  of 
the  Creeks." 

"  If  yon  value  your  life  you'll  string  this  man  up  now,  while 
you  have  him !  "  Polcher  fiercely  broke  in. 


140  EED  BELTS 

MeGillivray  turned  on  him,  and  his  voice  had  an  edge  as  he 
warned : 

"  Men  who  vohmteer  me  advice  usually  regret  it.  As  for 
valuing  my  life,  it  would  be  in  no  danger  if  Chucky  Jack  had 
all  his  riflemen  at  his  back." 

"  That  is  truCj,  sir,"  warmly  averred  Sevier.  "  I  know  of 
no  red  wampum  hanging  between  us." 

"  Not  so  fast,"  muttered  MeGillivray,  staring  at  him  medi- 
tatively. *^  I  didn't  mean  it  that  way.  If  there  is  no  red 
wampum,  neither  is  there  any  white  wampum  between  us. 
You've  come  here  without  being  asked.  I'm  not  yet  ready 
to  smoke  with  you." 

"  At  least  we  could  go  inside  and  sit  down  and  have  a  talk," 
suggested  Sevier. 

"  Why,  certainly,  we  can  do  that.  And  some  cakes  and  a 
glass  of  wine  into  the  bargain,"  laughed  MeGillivray.  "  My 
surprise  at  your  coming  made  me  forget  my  hospitality. 
Only  remember,  I  did  not  ask  you  to  bring  a  talk,  and  we  shall 
talk  without  belts." 

"  That  suits  me  perfectly,"  assured  Sevier,  taking  his  rifle 
from  where  he  had  stood  it  against  the  cabin  when  seeking  to 
attract  Jackson's  attention. 

MeGillivray  waved  his  hand  and  the  warriors  closed  about 
the  borderer.  Polcher  disappeared  in  the  darkness,  after 
loitering  to  see  if  he  were  included  in  the  emperor's  hospi- 
tality. As  MeGillivray  strode  on  ahead,  leading  the  way  to 
the  big  house,  he  laughed  softly  but  laughed  much.  As  he 
drew  up  at  the  door  a  slave  in  gay  livery  threw  it  open  and 
humbly  stood  aside.  The  emperor  slapped  his  leg  with  the 
riding-whip  and  exclaimed: 

" !  But  this  is  unexpected.  If  I'd  offered  ten  thou- 
sand pounds  in  gold  I  couldn't  had  you  brought  here  alive. 
Behold !     You're  here  without  my  even  asking." 


IN  THE  MAW  OF  THE  FOREST  141 

"  Yet  it  cost  something  for  me  to  get  here/'  said  Sevier. 

"  Meaning  just  what?  " 

*'  Two  dead  men  on  the  Great  War-Path.  Thev  tried  to 
stop  me." 

McGillivray's  eyes  danced. 

"  Good !    Whose  men  ?    Watts'  ?     Dragging  Canoe's  — " 

^'  Oh,  none  of  the  friendly  Indians,"  Sevier  interrupted, 
smiling  as  he  read  McGillivray's  ardent  hope  that  Cherokees 
had  been  slain  and  that  their  deaths  would  precipitate  the 
nation  into  a  war  against  the  settlements.  "  Merely  two  rene- 
gade whites.     Two  of  Eed  Hajason's  men." 

The  emperor's  face  fell.  Sevier  only  raised  the  red  ax 
against  his  Northern  neighbours.  He  eyed  the  borderer 
gravely ;  then  a  little  smile  curled  his  thin  lips  and  he  said : 

"  Those  two  are  better  than  nothing.  If  this  Eed  Hajason 
lived  nearer  my  country  I  should  send  some  of  my  young  men 
to  break  off  his  head.  He  rather  got  the  best  of  me  on  a 
batch  of  horses.  And  he'll  never  come  himself  with  a  drove ; 
always  sends  some  of  his  tools." 

Sevier  yawned.  Instantly  the  emperor  stood  aside,  bowed 
courteously  and  lamented : 

"  I  am  forgetting  myself.  Please  leave  your  rifle  and  belt 
with  the  servant.  And  enter.  You  are  most  welcome  to  Lit- 
tle Talassee  —  my  guest  ?    Prisoner  ?    I  wonder !  ^' 


CHAPTER  VIII 

THE  EMPEROR   OF  THE   CREEKS 

THE  McGillivrays  were  one  of  the  prominent  families 
springing  from  pre-Eevolutionary  marriages  between 
the  white  traders  and  backwoodsmen  and  the  South- 
ern Indians.  The  rapid  progress  made  by  the  Cherokee  and 
Creek  nations  can  largely  be  traced  to  such  unions,  as  the 
white  stock  invariably  was  excellent.  The  descendants  from 
such  mixed  marriages  are  not  to  be  confused  with  some  of  the 
Western  squaw  men's  offsprings  of  later  times. 

The  children  of  the  Southern  mixed-marriages,  as  in  the 
case  of  Alexander  McGillivray,  were  sent  away  to  seaboard 
cities,  or  to  Europe,  to  be  educated.  These  returned  with 
advanced  ideas  which  they  soon  promulgated  among  their 
mothers'  people.  One  result  in  the  South  was  an  early  in- 
troduction of  schoolhouses  and  the  importation  of  teachers. 

McGillivray  was  an  excellent  type  of  the  fruit  of  such  a 
mixed  marriage.  From  his  beautiful  halfbreed  mother,  Sehoy 
Marchand,  he  had  inherited  the  vivacity  and  audacity,  the 
brilliancy  and  polish  of  the  French,  and  the  more  reserved 
traits  of  the  Creeks.  From  his  father,  Lachlan  McGillivray, 
he  received  a  shrewd  Scottish  mind  and  an  ability  to  solve 
complicated  problems  and  profit  thereby.  He  was  born  at 
Little  Talassee  in  1746  and  was  a  year  younger  than  Sevier. 
Of  him  a  President  of  the  United  States,  more  than  a  century 
later,  was  to  write  — 

"  Perhaps  the  most  gifted  man  who  was  ever  born  on  the 
soil  of  Alabama."  * 

1  Roosevelt's  "  Winning  the  West." 

142 


THE  EMPEEOR  OF  THE  CEEEKS  143 

If  he  was  actuated  by  great  ambitions,  he  entertained  them 
legitimately;  for  his  mothers  family  of  the  Wind  was  very 
powerful;  by  inheritance  and  tutelage  he  was  propelled  to 
aspire  to  high  things.  His  mental  equipment,  too,  was  that 
of  a  man  licensed  to  dream  of  lasting  success  and  influence. 
If  he  was  crafty,  his  need,  nay,  the  instinct  of  self-preserva- 
tion, required  craft.  James  Eobertson,  Sevier's  old  friend, 
characterized  him  as  being  — 

"  Half  Spaniard,  half  Frenchman,  half  Scotchman,  and 
altogether  a  Creek  scoundrel." 

But  Eobertson  was  biased  in  his  judgment  because  of  his 
hatred  for  Spain;  and  there  was  a  strain  of  Spanish  blood  in 
the  polyglot  emperor.  Others  of  his  generation  pictured  him 
as  fiend  and  treacherous  in  his  dealings.  These  charges  are 
not  substantiated  by  any  known  facts  and  resulted  from  the 
stress  and  heat  of  the  times.  That  he  played  one  power 
against  others  with  consummate  adroitness  is  a  matter  of 
historic  record  —  England,  Spain  and  America.  He  wore  the 
military  trappings  of  the  British,  he  was  fond  of  his  Spanish 
uniform,  and  finally  the  insignia  of  an  American  officer ;  the 
last  after  Washington  made  him  a  brigadier  general.  But  at 
the  time  of  Chucky  Jack's  visit  to  Little  Talassee  he  was  all 
for  Spain. 

As  Sevier  faced  him  in  the  comfortable  living-room  of  the 
big  house  it  was  without  the  prejudices  of  many  contem- 
poraries. As  McGillivray  stood  by  the  table  and  rested  the 
tips  of  his  long,  tapering  fingers  on  the  polished  board,  his 
spare  six  feet  of  muscle  gracefully  inclined  toward  his 
"  guest,"  his  smooth,  dark  handsome  face  portraying  only  so- 
licitude for  the  comfort  of  his  new  acquaintance,  Sevier  knew 
he  was  in  the  presence  of  a  gentleman. 

After  Sevier  had  seated  himself  McGillivray  tapped  a  bell 
and  orave  an  order  to  the  half-breed  servant.  Wine  and  cakes 
were  brought.     All  that  surrounded  the  man  reflected  the  opu- 


144  EED  BELTS 

lence  resulting  from  a  partnership  with  Panton,  Forbes  and 
Leslie,  whose  importations  yearly  ran  to  nearly  a  quarter  of 
a  million  of  dollars.  And  yet  this  atmosphere  of  well-being 
contained  no  suggestion  of  the  garish.  The  impression  was 
that  the  house  of  McGilliyray  always  had  enjoyed  a  king's 
income. 

Sinking  into  a  chair  across  from  Sevier,  the  emperor  studied 
the  borderer  with  courteous  curiosity.  Then,  raising  his 
glass,  he  gave  — 

"  To  your  good  health  and  —  discretion." 

"  I  thank  you.  The  last  is  proven  by  my  seeking  you  in  a 
time  of  great  need,"  said  Sevier. 

McGillivray's  dark  eyes  became  luminous. 

"  Ha !  "  he  softly  exclaimed.  "  If  you  come  for  assistance 
you  can  count  on  McGillivray  of  the  Creeks  to  the  hilt." 

"  Not  so  fast,"  restrained  Sevier.  "  The  need  I  speak  of 
is  yours  as  well  as  mine." 

"  I  don't  understand  you,"  McGillivray  coldly  replied.  "  I 
know  of  no  personal  embarrassment.  The  Emperor  of  the 
Creeks  often  gives  aid.     He  has  never  received  any." 

"  A  crisis  faces  the  Western  settlements  and  the  Creeks. 
Your  nation  can  not  advance  if  my  people  go  down." 

McGillivray  sprang  to  his  feet  and  tossed  back  his  dark 
hair,  snapping  his  long  fingers  impatiently  and  darting  angry, 
yet  curious,  glances  at  the  imperturbable  borderer. 

"  What  kind  of  talk  is  this  for  you  to  bring  to  me,  a 
McGillivray  of  the  McGilli\Tays,  Emperor  of  the  Creek 
Nation  ?  " 

"  It  is  because  you  are  what  you  are  that  I  bother  to  fetch 
my  talk.  I  come  to  the  one  man  in  the  New  World  Spain 
leans  on  for  support.  Without  you  Spain  would  fall  to  the 
ground  in  this  Western  country." 

The  emperor's  irritation  vanished,  his  fierce  visage  softened. 
Such  homage  was  very  sweet,  coming  from  John  Sevier's  lips. 


THE  EMPEROR  OF  THE  CREEKS  145 

He  nodded  affably.  He  bad  reminded  Spain  of  his  own  im- 
portance in  his  various  consultations  with  the  royal  governor, 
Don  Estephan  Miro. 

"  I  believe  his  Majesty,  Charles  III,  appreciates  my  serv- 
ices," he  frankly  agreed.  "  Our  treaty  of  six  weeks  ago 
would  seem  to  indicate  that  much." 

"  Could  I  have  seen  you  before  June  first  I  would  have 
urged  you  not  to  sign  that  secret  treaty." 

Leaning  across  the  table,  his  face  alive  vrith  resentment, 
McGillivray  hoarsely  warned: 

"  Sevier,  beware !  Beware  how  you  characterize  any  com- 
pact I  sign  with  Spain.  You  mouth  the  word  '  secret '  as  if 
it  were  something  shameful.  I  tell  you  to  heed  your  words, 
for  you  are  in  my  power  —  and  I  am  trying  to  forget  that 
fact." 

"  To  be  in  a  gentleman's  power  is  to  be  his  guest,"  was  the 
calm  retort. 

With  a  Gallic  flinging  out  of  hands  and  shrugging  of  shoul- 
ders the  emperor  dropped  into  his  chair,  crying: 

"You  have  disarmed  me.  Suppose  we  take  up  your  rea- 
sons for  coming  here  —  a  most  unusual  proceeding  you  must 
admit  —  in  view  of  the  '  secret '  treaty." 

Sevier's  gaze  strayed  to  the  window  as  if  to  peer  forth  and 
penetrate  the  darkness. 

"I  have  two  objects,"  he  slowly  began.  "The  most  im- 
portant is  to  find  Major  John  Tonpit.  I  admit  I  had  hoped 
to  overtake  him  before  he  arrived  here." 

"  Tonpit  ?  Wliat  the  devil !  It  appears  that  all  my  guests 
come  with  but  one  thought  —  to  see  Major  Tonpit."  And 
McGillivray  did  not  attempt  to  conceal  his  exasperation. 
"  That  young  man  from  your  settlements,  whom  I  was  forced 
to  lock  up,  would  hear  of  nothing  but  the  Tonpits.  The  Em- 
peror of  the  Creeks  was  merely  an  agency  through  which  he 
would  find  the  Tonpits.     In  truth,  he  seemed  eager  to  tear 


146  EED  BELTS 

the  secret  from  me  by  blood  and  violence.  He  seemed  to  be- 
lieve I  was  hiding  something  from  him.  My  Creeks  wanted 
to  kill  him  on  the  spot,  but  there  is  much  white  blood  in  me 
and  I  forgave  him  because  of  Miss  Elsie  Tonpit,  who  no  doubt 
has  turned  his  head.  So  I  saved  him  from  my  reckless  fel- 
lows by  locking  him  up." 

"  He's  in  love  with  the  girl.  Why  torture  him  ?  You  are 
said  to  be  kind  to  prisoners.     Why  not  let  him  see  her  ? '' 

McGillivray  groaned  and  rested  his  head  against  the  back 
of  the  chair,  eying  Sevier  half  humorously,  half  angrily. 

"  Why  not  let  him  see  her  ?  "  he  mocked.  "  I  would  give 
a  thousand  pounds  to  see  her  myself." 

Sevier  bounced  from  his  chair  and  dropped  back  again. 

"  She  has  not  come  ?     Her  father  has  not  come  ?  " 

"  Curse  it  I     Are  you  trying  to  bait  me  ?  " 

Sevier  slumped  low  in  the  chair  and  glared  blankly  at  the 
emperor. 

"  Not  here/'  he  mumbled.     "  Then,  where  are  they  ?  " 

McGillivray  began  pacing  the  room,  a  crafty  cunning  glit- 
tering through  his  half-closed  lids  as  he  watched  the  bor- 
derer. Finally  coming  to  a  halt  before  Sevier,  he  stared 
down  at  him  and  slowly  inquired  — 

"Are  you  sure,  John  Sevier  of  the  Nolichucky,  that  you 
don't  know  where  they  are  ?  " 

"If  I  did,  would  I  be  here?"  asked  Sevier  bitterly. 

The  emperor  weighed  his  show  of  sincerity  and  at  last  ac- 
cepted it  at  face  value.     His  lofty  brow  became  worried. 

"Polcher  said  they  started  for  here.  He  is  much  dis- 
turbed that  they  haven't  arrived.  You  and  Polcher  could 
scarcely  be  called  friends  ?  " 

"  He's  the  minor  reason  for  my  coming  to  Little  Talassee. 
I've  promised  myself  the  pleasure  of  hanging  him." 

McGillivray's  lips  tightened  in  displeasure   at  this  bold 


THE  EMPEROR  OF  THE  CREEKS  147 

assertion,  and  his  Indian  blood  came  to  the  fore  and  he 
hissed  — 

"  Be  careful  how  you  talk  of  hanging  a  friend  of  the  Creeks 
in  the  country  of  the  Creeks." 

"  Alexander  McGillivray,  Emperor  of  the  Creeks,  I  do  not 
envy  you  your  friend." 

^'  So  ?  "  purred  McGillivray.  "  You  would  wish  me  to  call 
James  Robertson  ^  friend/ —  the  man  whom  I  will  drive  from 
the  Cumberland  if  my  Creeks  do  not  catch  and  burn  him  be- 
fore he  can  escape." 

Sevier  laughed. 

"  Your  chances  of  burning,  or  even  scaring,  Jim  Robertson 
are  as  good  as  mine  are  of  becoming  Emperor  of  the  Creek 
!N"ation."  Then  harshly,  "  This  man  Polcher  is  a  murderer. 
He  killed  an  old  man  in  cold  blood." 

"  Meaning  he  intended  to  kill  him,"  corrected  McGillivray 
with  ironical  gentleness.  "  Just  as  you  intended  to  kill  the 
two  white  men  back  on  the  Great  AYar-Path.  Probably  Red 
Hajason  by  this  time  is  proclaiming  you  as  a  murderer. 
Polcher's  '  cold-bloodedness '  proves  he  had  a  definite  pur- 
pose. If  he  had  slain  without  an  object  I  would  approve  of 
his  hanging.     Polcher  is  very  useful  to  me." 

^^He's  a  low-down  dog.  His  usefulness  has  helped  you 
none  in  the  settlements." 

"  That  remains  to  be  seen  after  Major  Tonpit  arrives. 
Doubtless  you  think  I  would  do  much  better  if  I  made  friends 
with  the  "Western  settlers.  They  are  a  very  pious  people." 
And  the  emperor  threw  back  his  head  and  laughed  scornfully. 
"  Let  me  see ;  it  was  eight  years  ago  that  some  of  your  set- 
tlers at  Wolf  Hill  in  Virginia  ran  to  their  fort  to  escape  an 
Indian  attack.  They  discovered  their  minister  of  the  Gospel 
had  left  his  books  in  his  cabin.  Back  they  went,  those  pious 
men,  and  returned  with  the  books  —  and  eleven  scalps.     I  am 


148  EED  BELTS 

told  that  after  a  prayer  service  they  hung  the  scalps  over  the 
fort  gate." 

Sevier  flushed,  for  the  emperor  had  recited  facts. 

"  The  war  between  red  and  white  has  brought  out  much 
cruel  hatred.     Only  with  peace  can  kindlier  feelings  come." 

"When  the  Legislature  of  South  Carolina  offered  seventy- 
five  pounds  bounty  for  every  warrior's  scalp  I  suppose  the 
State  was  hungrily  seeking  a  permanent  peace." 

"  You  should  add  that  the  Legislature  offered  even  a  greater 
bounty  for  the  warrior  alive,"  coldly  corrected  Sevier.  "  After 
doing  that  you  could  talk  till  you're  white-headed,  reviewing 
the  horrible  atrocities  your  Creeks  have  committed  even  during 
your  civilized  leadership." 

McGillivray's  gaze  became  that  of  a  basilisk.  For  more 
than  a  minute  he  glared  at  the  man  so  thoroughly  in  his 
power.  Next,  with  a  startling  transition,  a  most  winning 
smile  drove  the  sullen  ferocity  from  his  haughty  features  and 
he  filled  the  glasses,  reminding : 

"  Such  talk  is  useless.  It  makes  bad  friends.  I  confess 
cruelties  are  practised  by  the  red  men.  But  you  didn't  come 
here  to  tell  me  that.'^ 

"  I  came  to  find  Tonpit.  As  a  side  errand  I  desire  to  hang 
Polcher.  And  I  also  came  as  the  result  of  a  talk  with  Old 
Tassel." 

"  Old  Tassel  ?  "  exclaimed  McGillivray,  spilling  some  of  his 
wine. 

"I  called  on  him  at  Great  Hiwassee,"  Sevier  explained. 

"  Great  Hiwassee !     Indeed !  " 

"  Before  Old  Tassel  arrived  I  had  a  talk  with  John  Watts." 

"Good  God!  Are  you  sure  you're  not  a  ghost?  You 
talked  with  Watts  and  — " 

"And  lived  to  come  here?  Why  not?"  And  Sevier 
smiled  serenely.  "I  told  Old  Tassel  I  was  bringing  a  talk 
to  you.     He  is  anxious  to  learn  how  it  results." 


THE  EMPEROR  OF  THE  CREEKS  149 

McGillivray  played  with  his  glass,  his  gaze  following  the 
light  darting  through  the  rich  depths,  his  astute  mind  seeking 
to  unravel  the  true  import  of  the  borderman's  astounding  as- 
sertions. Suspicions  of  double-dealing  on  Watts'  part  came 
and  went,  more  of  a  suggestion  than  a  suspicion,  for  he  knew 
Watts'  implacable  determination  to  have  done  with  the  West- 
ern settlements.  The  chief  of  the  Chickamaugas  could  not 
change.  But  there  was  a  mystery  in  Sevier's  living  to  leave 
the  town  once  he  had  entered  it. 

•'  I'll  admit  Watts  would  not  receive  my  talk  as  I  had 
hoped,"  Sevier  frankly  confessed.  "  He  even  showed  resent- 
ment." McGillivray  smiled.  "But  Old  Tassel  was  deeply 
impressed.^' 

The  emperor  frowned. 

"  Old  Tassel  should  be  called  Old  Woman,"  he  muttered. 
"  What  was  your  talk  ?  " 

"  I  told  him  if  he  would  hold  his  warriors  back  from  war 
I  would  promise  to  keep  the  whites  from  any  further  tres- 
pass on  the  lands  south  of  the  French  Broad  and  the  Holston. 
I  told  him  that  an  alliance  with  Spain,  through  the  Creeks, 
would  surely  ruin  the  Cherokee  Nation." 

"  Anything  else  ? "  whispered  McGillivray,  setting  down 
his  untasted  glass. 

"  I  told  him  if  he  made  a  war-treaty  with  the  Creeks  he 
would  lose  many  warriors  and  gain  nothing.  I  told  him 
that  even  if  he  could  kill  off  all  the  settlers  he  would  gain 
nothing,  as  in  the  end  the  Creeks  would  take  his  lands." 

"  Mr.  Sevier,"  murmured  McGillivray,  "  why  are  you  so 
foolish  as  to  tell  me  all  this  ?  " 

Sevier  knew  that  while  McGillivray  would  not  countenance 
unnecessary  bloodshed  he  would  never  permit  any  one  man 
to  stand  between  him  and  the  ambition  of  his  life.  Still  he 
continued : 

Because  Watts  dared  me  to  tell  the  talk  to  you,  and  he- 


i( 


150  EED  BELTS 

cause  I  told  him  and  Old  Tassel  that  I  would  do  it.  But  I 
have  more  to  add." 

"  I  am  sorry  for  you.     Go  on." 

"  I  wish  to  tell  you,  as  I  told  the  Cherokees,  that  the  future 
of  the  Creek  Nation  does  not  depend  on  the  friendship  of 
Spain ;  that  your  treaty  of  last  June  is  with  the  same  people 
who  made  slaves  of  you  in  the  past.  And  I  tell  you  now, 
Alexander  McGillivray,  Emperor  of  the  Creeks,  that  if  you 
have  the  best  interests  of  your  nation  at  heart  you  will  cast 
off  this  intrigue  with  Spain  and  make  peace  with  the  central 
Government." 

McGillivray  threw  back  liis  head  and  laughed  long  and 
discordantly. 

'^  A  border-leader  turned  missionary !  "  he  jeered.  "  Why, 
man,  I  was  getting  angry  at  you!  Your  insolence  blinded 
me  to  the  absurdity  of  it  all.  Still,  I  admire  you  for  going 
to  Great  Hiwassee.  But  when  you  mention  the  central  Gov- 
ernment you  remind  me  that  facts  are  facts.  Your  Govern- 
ment. Where  is  it?  What  can  it  do?  Can  it  sail  a  boat 
on  the  Mississippi?  Can  it  send  its  goods  to  New  Orleans? 
Does  it  resent  any  action  of  Spain^s?  Or  does  it  meekly  bow 
the  head  ?  " 

Sevier  restrained  himself  and  evenly  retorted: 

^^We  are  a  free  people.  Just  now  we  need  many  things. 
We  soon  shall  have  them.  War  has  exhausted  us,  but  we  shall 
make  up  our  strength  overnight.     We  shall  never  submit." 

"Bah!  You  submit  now,"  wrathfully  cried  McGillivray. 
"  You  are  powerless  now.  Why  should  you  think  you  will  be 
strong  tomorrow  ?  Does  weakness  breed  strength  ?  You  say 
the  future  of  my  people  and  that  of  the  Thirteen  Fires  are 
tied  up  in  the  same  bundle.  God  forbid !  That  is  what  I  am 
trying  to  escape  from.  We  want  none  of  your  future,  with 
its  humiliations,  with  its  bending  of  the  knee  to  Spain.  We 
are  free  to  sail  the  Mississippi.     We  trade  with  New  Orleans. 


THE  EMPEEOR  OF  THE  CEEEKS  151 

"When  Spain  speaks  to  us  she  speaks  softly.  Without  our  aid 
she  is  powerless.  My  friend,  we  shall  use  Spain  rather  than 
allow  Spain  to  use  us.  Her  future  on  this  continent  is  bound 
up  with  the  future  of  the  Creeks.'^ 

And  he  rose  and  extended  his  arms,  his  inner  vision  paint- 
ing a  new  and  mighty  empire  in  which  McGillivray  of  the 
Creeks  and  allied  nations  played   a  leading  role. 

Abruptly  changing  and  without  waiting  for  Sevier  to 
speak,  he  became  the  smiling  host  again  and  asked  — 

"  What  is  it  I  hear  about  your  separating  from  North 
Carolina  ?  '^ 

"  As  you  heard  it  as  soon  as,  if  not  before,  we  did,  there's 
nothing  new  to  tell,''  Sevier  replied.  "We  are  about  to 
set  up  an  independent  State  and  be  admitted  to  the 
XTnion." 

"  So  ?  My  agents  are  careless  fellows,"  sighed  the  em- 
peror, shaking  his  head  ruefully.  "Both  careless  and  ig- 
norant fellows.  Why,  they  actually  informed  me  that  the 
Western  settlements  have  been  given  to  the  central  Govern- 
ment as  Iv'ortli  Carolina's  share  of  the  war-debt.  They  led 
me  to  believe  Carolina  was  paying  her  debts  with  Western 
land.     Xever  a  word  about  the  new  State." 

"  A  month  from  now  they'll  be  telling  you  about  the  new 
State,"  Sevier  answered. 

McGillivray  simulated  a  density  of  understanding  and 
rubbed  his  head  in  perplexity. 

"  I  can't  comprehend  it,"  he  sorrowfully  confessed.  "  The 
wine  must  have  muddled  my  poor  head.  Xow  let  me  see. 
Xorth  Carolina  owes  some  five  million  dollars,  a  ninth  of 
the  national  debt,  plus  three  millions  unpaid  interest.  France 
advanced  much  of  the  money  and  is  asking  for  the  interest 
and  some  arrangement  that  ultimately  will  take  care  of  the 
principal.  Xorth  Carolina,  not  having  the  five  millions,  votes 
to  pay  some  twenty-nine  or  thirty  million  acres  of  land.     Xow, 


152  RED  BELTS 

if  I  have  followed  you  correctly,  the  thirty  million  acres  refuse 
to  be  considered  as  the  equivalent  of  !N'orth  Carolina's  share 
of  the  debt  and  insist  on  being  created  into  a  State.  It's 
very  bewildering." 

'^  Perhaps  it  will  be  clearer  if  you  remember  there  are  some 
twenty-five  or  thirty  thousand  settlers  who  won  those  acres 
and  who  do  not  intend  to  be  turned  over  along  with  their 
lands  like  so  many  beaver  pelts/'  Sevier  replied.  "  Perhaps 
you  can  perceive  that  the  very  weakness  of  the  central  Gov- 
ernment which  you  have  dwelt  on  is  an  excellent  reason  why 
thirty  thousand  people  will  determine  the  future  of  the  land 
they  alone  won  and  developed.  How  will  the  central  Govern- 
ment stop  us  from  forming  a  State  if  she  is  unable  to  resent 
any  insult  from  distant  Spain  ?  " 

"  I  don't  think  she  can."  And  the  admission  was  accom- 
panied by  a  smile  of  genuine  amusement.  "  It's  absolutely 
humorous,  the  whole  situation.  A  man  owes  me  a  tliousand 
pounds.  He  makes  payment.  Just  as  I  am  about  to  count 
the  money  it  hops  up  and  says,  'You  can't  have  me  as  pa}^- 
ment  for  a  debt.  But  you  shall  take  me  as  a  partner  and 
share  with  me  what  you  ahready  have  accumulated.'  ^\Tiat 
could  I  do?  Perhaps  I  would  demand  that  my  debtor  bring 
me  some  better  behaved  money.  Eh?  What  will  North 
Carolina  say  when  she  finds  she's  lost  her  land  and  hasn't 
paid  her  debt  ?  " 

"  She'll  do  nothing,"  assured  Sevier.  "  There  will  be  no 
violence,  no  bloodshed.  You  don't  understand  the  true  tem- 
per of  the  people  on  both  sides  of  the  mountains.  We're 
kinsmen.  And  your  amusing  little  illustrations  make  you  for- 
get the  simple  fact  that  a  new  State  must  pay  its  share  of 
the  national  debt.  Our  new  State  wiU  make  good  what 
Carolina  owes." 

There  was  a  pause  for  several  minutes,  each  trjTing  to  read 
the  others  thoughts.     Then  McGillivray  briskly  said : 


THE  EMPEROE  OF  THE  CEEEKS  153 

"  You  mention  August.  You're  to  start  building  your  new 
State  next  month  ?  ^' 

'^  The  forty  delegates  will  meet  on  the  twenty-third  of 
August." 

"  That  will  give  you  scant  time  to  visit  me  and  get  back 
and  take  part  in  the  good  work,"  regretted  McGillivray. 

^^  Oh,  my  presence  isn't  necessary/'  promptly  retorted 
Sevier.  "  If  I  remain  here  as  your  —  guest  —  everything 
will  go  along  nicely.     I  arranged  for  that." 

"  Then  you  did  consider  the  possibility  of  remaining  with 
me  for  a  while  ?  " 

Sevier  shook  his  head  and  frankly  answered : 

*'  No.  My  precautions  were  taken  because  of  the  chance 
of  a  Chickamauga  knife  or  a  Creek  ax  reaching  me  before 
I  got  to  you.  I  believed  tliat  once  I  had  talked  to  you  I  could 
return  —  always  providing  I  dodged  the  dangers  of  the 
homeward  trail." 

^'  Such  faith !  Such  faith !  "  murmured  McGillivray  with 
a  whimsical  smile.  "  Do  you  know,  Mr.  Sevier,  I  must  be 
on  my  guard  against  the  charm  of  your  personality?  I  find 
myself  liking  you.     It's  like  walking  into  an  ambuscade." 

Sevier  laughed  lightly,  pointed  to  the  emperor's  full  glass 
and  raised  his  own,  saying  — 

*^  I  drink  to  the  success  which  wiU  be  best  for  vou  and 
your  people." 

McGillivray  started,  gazed  intently  across  the  table  and 
slowly  moved  his  lips  in  testing  the  words. 

" me !  "  he  cried.  "  I  can't  see  any  snake  in  the  bot- 
tom of  that  glass !  It  rings  honest,  even  if  you  and  I  don't 
agree  on  what  *  best  success '  is.  You're  an  honest  man, 
Sevier,  and  we'll  drink  it  with  honesty  in  our  hearts.  And  I 
thank  you  for  the  spirit  which  prompts  it." 

The  glasses  were  emptied  just  as  the  servant  glided  in  and 
passed  to  his  master  and  gave  him  a  written  message.     Mc- 


154  KED  BELTS 

Gillivray  read  it  and  frowned  blackly,  then  glanced  furtively 
at  Sevier.  He  hesitated  and  twisted  the  paper  about  his 
fingers ;  then  he  brusquely  commanded  — 

"  Show  him  m.'' 

Sevier  appeared  indifferent,  but  from  the  corner  of  his  eye 
he  watched  the  emperor's  sudden  change  of  expression.  Some- 
thing in  the  note  had  aroused  the  Indian  blood  in  him,  had 
caused  him  to  entertain  a  suspicion.  The  door  opened  and 
Polcher  entered,  bowing  low  to  McGillivray  and  darting  a 
look  of  hatred  at  the  borderer. 

McGillivray  motioned  for  him  to  advance  but  did  not  ask 
him  to  be  seated.     He  bluntly  began: 

"  Your  note  says  you  have  something  to  tell  me  about  Mr. 
Sevier  which  I  should  know  at  once.  Why  didn't  you  tell 
it  to  me  when  you  first  arrived  ?  " 

*^  Your  Majesty,  the  surprise  of  not  finding  Major  Tonpit 
here,  the  surprise  of  finding  the  man  Jackson  here,  drove  it 
from  my  mind  until  John  Sevier  came.  Ever  since  he  en- 
tered your  Majesty's  home  I  have  been  trying  to  get  a  word 
to  you.     Only  now  have  I  succeeded.'' 

"  Very  well ;  go  on.     What  is  it  ?  " 

Sevier  eyed  Polcher  closely,  anticipating  what  was  com- 
ing. The  tavern-keeper  gazed  only  at  McGillivray  and 
said : 

"  The  man  Jackson,  acting  under  Chucky  Jack's  orders, 
killed  your  Creek  messenger.  He  was  seen  to  do  it  by  a  set- 
tler, who  was  murdered  to  close  his  mouth.  But  before  the 
witness  died  he  told  me  of  the  crime." 

"What?  What's  this?"  roared  McGillivray,  turning  to 
glare  at  the  composed  face  of  the  borderer.  "  What  have  you 
to  say,  Sevier  ?  " 

And  the  long  hands  opened  and  closed  as  if  searching  for 
a  deadly  weapon  or  an  enemy's  throat. 

"  Do  you  believe  it  ?  "  Sevier  quietly  asked. 


THE  EMPEEOR  OF  THE  CEEEKS  155 


a 


You  heard  the  charge.  Answer !  ^'  thundered  the  em- 
peror. 

"  Pardon  me ;  but  if  you  already  believe  it,  it  is  useless  for 
me  to  answer/^  Sevier  replied  in  the  same  level  voice. 

McGillivray  was  nonplussed  by  this  method  of  defence  and 
finally  demanded  of  Polcher  — 

"  How  do  you  know  this  to  be  so  ?  " 

"  I  saw  the  messenger's  scalp  on  Sevier's  table  in  the  court- 
house." 

" !     Sevier,  you  must  speak  now.     Polcher  either  has 

hung  himself  or  you,"  McGillivray  bitterly  exclaimed.  "  My 
messenger  has  not  returned.  I  have  thought  nothing  of  his 
absence  because  he  was  to  guide  the  Tonpits  here  and  the 
woman  would  prevent  a  quick  journey.  Now  answer  the 
charge." 

"  A  scalp  of  a  Creek  was  placed  on  my  table  in  the  court- 
house by  Polcher,"  the  borderer  slowly  informed.  "I  had 
never  seen  it  until  it  was  placed  there  by  Polcher.  The  Creek 
would  not  have  been  killed  if  you  had  sent  him  openly  to 
Jonesboro.  I  knew  nothing  about  him  until  he  was  dead. 
You  sent  him  by  stealth  — " 

"  You  admit  he  was  slain  ?  "  hissed  McGillivray. 

"  Certainly.  But  not  by  Kirk  Jackson,  as  this  dog  says. 
The  scalp  was  taken  to  Polcher  by  an  old  man  crazy  with 
drink.  The  old  man  was  to  get  a  jug  of  whisky  if  he  brought 
a  Cherokee  scalp  —  to  Polcher." 

"  He  lies.     him !     He  lies !  "  gritted  Polcher. 

McGillivray  glanced  from  the  flushed  face  to  the  composed 
one.     Sevier  coolly  continued: 

"  Your  common  sense  will  tell  you  there  can  be  no  question 
of  veracity  between  me  and  your  tool.  The  old  man  who  took 
the  scalp  did  not,  however,  kill  the  Creek.  I  am  frank  to 
admit  that,  although  he  was  a  tool  of  Polcher's  and  did  as 
Polcher  commanded  —  as  he  believed." 


156  EED  BELTS 


a 


A  Cherokee  scalp,"  mumbled  McGillivray,  his  anger  sub- 
siding for  the  moment  as  he  recognized  the  advantage  to  his 
-cause  had  a  Cherokee  been  killed  and  scalped  by  a  Western 
settler. 

"  He  lies  — "  began  Polcher,  but  Sevier  came  to  his  feet 
and  grasped  a  decanter,  warning  — 

"  You  say  that  again  and  I  shall  brain  you ;  no  matter 
how  much  I  dislike  to  make  a  scene  in  the  home  of  McGilli- 
vray of  the  Creeks." 

"  Keep  your  mouth  closed,  Polcher,  until  I  speak  to  you," 
the  emperor  harshly  commanded.  "  Sevier  be  seated  — 
please.  Now,  Sevier,  suppose  you  enlighten  me  as  to  what 
jou  know  about  this." 

Sevier  readily  complied,  omitting  only  the  fact  that  he 
knew  wdio  had  killed  the  messenger. 

"Jackson  was  in  the  bush  and  overheard  Polcher's  bar- 
gain with  the  old  man  and  came  and  told  me  about  it.  I  di- 
rected him  to  waylay  the  old  man  and  take  the  scalp  from 
him.  Polcher  had  demanded  a  Cherokee  scalp  for  his  whisky. 
The  old  man  believed  he  had  found  a  dead  Cherokee,  and  he 
scalped  him.  Jackson  believed  the  scalp  belonged  to  a  Chero- 
kee; so  did  I  until  I  saw  it.  I  did  not  want  any  scalp  to  be 
paraded  at  the  tavern,  where  Polcher  and  his  men  would  make 
use  of  it  in  inflaming  the  Indians." 

"But  this  Jackson  fled!  He  didn't  wait  for  an  investi- 
gation," reminded  McGillivray  in  an  ominous  voice. 

"'  If  he  had  killed  a  Creek  he  scarcely  would  have  fled 
here,"  said  Sevier.  "  He  was  being  chased  by  a  tavern  mob. 
I  was  away  from  the  village.  He  already  knew  the  girl  was  to 
go  to  Little  Talassee.  He  was  crazy  to  overtake  her.  That 
was  the  true  reason  of  his  leaving  Jonesboro  in  the  night 
without  even  waiting  to  let  me  know  where  he  was  going." 

"  True,  he  would  be  a  fool  to  come  here  after  killing  my 
man,"  mused  McGillivray.     Then  with  f  reeh  suspicion,  "  But 


THE  EMPEROR  OF  THE  CREEKS  157 

how  did  he  know  the  girl  and  her  father  were  coming  here  ?  " 

Sevier  was  unwilling  to  implicate  the  girl. 

"  From  something  he  had  learned/^  he  countered.  "  I  can 
tell  you  exactly  what  he  learned,  and  how,  but  not  in  the 
presence  of  this  man/' 

"We  still  have  the  death  of  my  Creek  to  clear  up,"  re- 
minded McGillivray,  scowling  blackly.  "  This  old  man  found 
the  dead  body  and  scalped  it  ?  " 

"  Believing  it  was  a  Cherokee.  And  I  went  and  buried  the 
body  so  it  could  not  be  found  and  be  made  the  cause  of  a  bor- 
der war,"  Sevier  replied. 

"  But  some  one  did  kill  the  messenger."  With  a  lightning 
glance  at  the  tavern-keeper  he  demanded,  "Will  you  say 
Polcher  kHled  him  ?  " 

Sevier  was  human  and  the  temptation  was  strong.  The 
rascal  was  seeking  his  life  and  would  hesitate  at  nothing  to 
accomplish  his  ends. 

"No,  I  can't  say  that.  I  only  wish  I  could.  Polcher 
didn't  kill  him.  He  only  killed  the  old  man  he  had  hired  to 
bring  in  a  scalp." 

"  Then  vou  do  know  who  killed  him  ?  "  cried  Polcher. 
You  speak  as  if  you  were  surprised,"  growled  McGillivray. 
I'm  surprised  he  admits  as  much,"  Polcher  defended. 

McGillivray  nodded  for  the  borderer  to  proceed. 
Not  in  the  presence  of  that  man,"  Sevier  refused. 
By  heavens,  Sevier,  you're  taking  a  high  hand ! "  the 
emperor  passionately  cautioned.  "  Please  remember  that  any 
man  worthy  to  stand  in  my  presence  is  worthy  to  hear  any 
explanation  that  involves  him  in  a  serious  matter.  I  demand 
you  tell  me  what  you  know  concerning  the  death  of  one  of 
my  people." 

Polcher  grinned  triumphantly. 

"  After  he  leaves  the  room  I'll  tell  you  who  killed  your 
Creek,"  retorted  Sevier. 


158  EED  BELTS 


<i 


You'll  tell  in  his  hearing,  or  else  the  Creeks  have  for- 
gotten their  knack  of  making  a  man  talk/'  rumbled  McGilli- 
vray. 

"Between  such  men  as  you  and  I  that  is  boy's  talk,"  re- 
buked Sevier  with  a  smile.     "I'm  disappointed  in  you." 

"I'm  quite  in  earnest.  This  man,  my  paid  agent,  makes 
a  charge  against  you  —  a  prisoner  —  in  your  presence.  You 
exonerate  him  of  the  killing  and  confess  that  you  know  the 
murderer.  You  also  admit  Polcher  doesn't  know.  I  stand 
back  of  my  men.  I'll  put  threats  aside  and  appeal  to  your 
sense  of  justice.  If  Polcher  doesn't  know  who  killed  the 
Creek  it  is  only  right  that  you  should  speak  before  him." 

Sevier  elevated  his  brows  and  stared  thoughtfully  at  the 
ceiling.     Finally  he  said : 

"There  is  justice  in  what  you  ask.  It  can't  make  much 
difference,  as  he  will  never  dare  go  back  to  the  Watauga  set- 
tlements to  serve  you  again.  I've  decided  to  tell  you  what  I 
know.  The  Creek  was  killed  by  an  Indian-hater,  a  man 
whose  entire  family  was  butchered  by  Indians.  The  deed 
was  done  unknown  to  any  settler;  otherwise  it  never  would 
have  been  committed.  We  will  cover  your  dead  with  many 
presents.  But  as  you  sent  him  secretly  into  our  settlements, 
with  orders  to  skulk  in  the  bushes,  thereby  giving  the  im- 
pression to  any  who  might  see  him  that  he  was  there  for 
mischief,  I  should  say  part  of  the  responsibility  for  his  death 
was  yours,  Alexander  McGillivray. 

"  Had  you  sent  him  to  me  he  would  have  been  unharmed ; 
for  then  he  would  have  come  openly,  just  as  the  Cherokee, 
Tall  Runner,  came  and  departed  in  safety.  However,  your 
Creek  is  dead,  and  the  fanatic  will  not  be  handed  over  for  you 
to  kill.  There's  the  whole  truth.  Young  Jackson  is  as  inno- 
cent of  the  whole  affair  as  you  are." 

"I  believe  you,  Sevier;  but  you  talk  big  when  you  say 


THE  EMPEROR  OF  THE  CREEKS  159 

the  Creeks  shall  take  no  reprisal/'  McGillivray  bitterly  ob- 
served. 

"  You  can  kill  me  or  Jackson,  but  the  settlement  won't 
turn  over  the  half -crazed  slayer  of  your  Creek/'  Sevier  calmly 
reiterated.  "  It  is  for  me  to  say  that  you  talk  big  when  you 
complain  because  your  secret  messengers  aren't  received  and 
protected  in  Jonesboro  at  almost  the  moment  you  hold  as 
prisoners  Kirk  Jackson  and  myself,  who  came  here  openly." 

"  Came  here  to  make  trouble/'  ventured  Polcher. 

Sevier  directed  a  sleepy  smile  at  the  tavern-keeper  and  re- 
marked to  the  emperor: 

"  I've  been  thoroughly  honest  and  above  board  with  you. 
Suppose  you  ask  your  trusted  agent  to  be  the  same." 

"You  can't  make  his  Majesty  believe  I'm  anything  but 
honest  with  him/'  defied  Polcher. 

'' Ku!"  grunted  Sevier.  "You  killed  a  war-eagle  out  of 
season,  Polcher.  It  has  spoiled  your  medicine.  The  Great 
Crystal  of  the  Cherokees  would  show  you  floating  in  blue 
shadows.  Death  is  very  close  to  you.  Now  tell  the  emperor 
why  your  friend  Red  Hajason  went  to  Great  Hiwassee  and 
took  with  him  the  horses  rode  by  Major  Tonpit  and  his  daugh- 
ter when  they  departed  from  Jonesboro." 

Polcher  was  astounded.  When  he  could  master  his  tongue 
it  was  to  give  a  shrill  cry  of  alarm,  and  for  a  moment  his 
smug  mask  of  complacency  slipped  and  revealed  the  stark  ter- 
ror in  his  soul. 

"  Lies !     Lies !  "  he  choked. 

McGillivray  was  fairly  bewildered  by  the  unexpected  reve- 
lation and  glanced  swiftly  from  the  borderer  to  his  hench- 
man. 

"  Tonpit's  horses  in  Red  Hajason's  hands,"  he  mumbled. 
Then  fiercely,  "Polcher,  look  at  me!  So.  Eye  to  eye! 
What  do  you  know  about  this  ?  " 


160  EED  BELTS 


iC 


Nothing !  Nothing !  The  man  lies !  "  Polcher's  fright- 
ened voice  persisted. 

McGillivray  swnng  about  and  for  nearly  a  minute  searched 
the  depths  of  Sevier^s  steady  blue  eyes. 

^'  No/'  he  softly  concluded,  "  he  speaks  the  truth." 

Raising  a  silver  whistle  to  his  lips,  he  blew  two  short  blasts. 
Almost  instantly  a  dozen  warriors  glided  into  the  room  and 
encircled  the  three  men.  Pointing  to  Polcher,  the  emperor 
ordered : 

"  Take  this  man  away.     Turn  out  the  dogs." 

"  I've  served  you,  McGillivray  — " 

"  What  ?  " 

"  I've  served  your  Majesty  faithfully.  I  give  my  word  of 
honour  I  will  not  try  to  escape  until  after  you  have  investi- 
gated this  ridiculous  story." 

"  You  will  come  to  no  harm  if  you're  innocent ;  and  the 
Emperor  of  the  Creeks  knows  how  to  make  up  for  his  mis- 
takes with  many  presents.  But  if  you  have  played  me  false 
you  will  —  if  you  are  wise  —  cut  your  own  throat  tonight. 
If  you  attempt  to  leave  the  grounds  the  dogs  will  get 
you." 

"I  do  not  wish  to  leave  the  grounds,"  sullenly  replied 
Polcher  as  they  led  him  away. 

After  the  warriors  and  their  prisoner  left,  McGillivray  re- 
mained staring  at  the  door,  seemingly  forgetful  of  Sevier. 
Black  care  was  worrying  his  handsome  countenance.  Speak- 
ing gently,  he  at  last  asked  — 

'^  Do  you  know  anything  about  the  Tonpits,  besides  what 
you've  told?" 

"  I  only  know  that  the  man  called  Hester  was  the  man 
Polcher  used  in  communicating  with  Major  Tonpit.  Hester 
took  orders  from  Polcher.  He  left  Jonesboro  the  night  the 
Tonpits  set  out.     The  settlers  have  long  believed  he  is  mixed 


THE  EMPEROR  OF  THE  CREEKS  161 

up  with  Red  Hajason.  If  he  is,  why  not  Polcher,  his  mas- 
ter? I  had  supposed  he  went  to  guide  the  Tonpits  to  you, 
taking  the  place  of  the  dead  Creek.  I  was  surprised  to  find 
no  trace  of  the  Tonpits  on  my  journey  here.  Red  Hajason 
had  their  horses.  It  must  follow  he  has  the  Tonpits.  Pol- 
cher's  a  bad  one.     You're  foolish  to  trust  him." 

"  He's  always  been  humble  enough,"  muttered  McGillivray. 

"  Humble  ?  Why,  he  considers  himseK  to  be  a  better  man 
than  you,  Alexander  McGillivray,"  laughed  Sevier.  "  And  a 
better  man  than  Tonpit.  In  Jonesboro  he  played  the  part 
of  tavern-keeper  and  played  it  well.  But,  harkee,  McGilli- 
vray of  the  Creeks,  you've  had  dealings  with  no  man  as  crafty 
as  he.  Show  him  an  advantage  in  taking  your  head  in  a 
basket  to  any  State  capital,  and  he'll  try  for  the  reward." 

'^  His  ambitions  fly  above  a  money  reward.  He  seeks  a  high 
position  under  —  in  the  new  order  of  Western  affairs.  Yet 
what  you  tell  me  looks  bad."  And  he  sighed  as  if  weary  from 
continued  disappointments.  "  I've  depended  so  much  on 
Major  Tonpit." 

He  blew  his  whistle,  this  time  but  once,  and  two  men  en- 
tered.    Speaking  to  them  in  the  Creek  tongue,  he  directed: 

"  You  will  start  immediately  for  Great  Hiwassee  and  learn 
if  Red  Hajason  has  brought  horses  there."  Then  to  Sevier, 
"Describe  the  animals."  Sevier  did  so,  and  the  description 
was  repeated  to  the  men.  "You  will  find  out  where  Red 
Hajason  is  now.  One  of  you  will  return  to  me  with  what  you 
have  learned.  The  other  shall  remain  until  he  has  seen  John 
Watts.  Ask  him  in  my  name  if  he  knows  anything  about 
the  white  man  called  John  Tonpit,  and  about  the  white  girl, 
Tonpit's  daughter.     This  gives  you  my  voice." 

And  he  slipped  a  curiously  carved  ring  from  his  finger  and 
handed  it  to  the  elder  of  the  two  men. 

As  thev  withdrew  he  said  to  Sevier : 
We'll  drop  it  until  I  receive  word  from  Hiwassee.     I  ad- 


ii 


162  KED  BELTS 

mit  part  of  the  blame  for  my  Creek's  death.  Let  that  go  by. 
I  want  to  talk  with  you  as  friend  to  friend. 

"  Yon  imagine  me  to  be  a  blind  tool  of  Spain's.  You 
couldn't  make  a  greater  mistake.  I  hold  and  intend  to  hold 
this  Southern  country.  I  welcome  Spain  so  long  as  Charles 
III  helps  me  to  strengthen  my  grip  on  it.  Spain  knows  that 
if  she  tries  unfairness  with  me  she  loses  what  she  now  holds. 
Spain  has  fleets  and  needs  the  fur  trade.  Her  day  has  passed 
in  Europe.  What  she  gets  she  must  get  over  here.  She  will 
pay  well  for  what  she  gets.  We  have  something  to  sell.  She 
is  willing  to  buy.     What  is  there  wrong  in  that  ? 

"If  your  Western  settlements  could  seU  what  you  raise, 
you  would  be  very  powerful.  But  you  are  hemmed  in.  The 
thirteen  States  are  satisfied  with  the  Atlantic  coast.  That  is 
all  they  have  cared  for.  They  have  no  sympathy  with  over- 
mountain  development.  They  are  not  strong  enough  to  com- 
bat Spain,  and  they  know  their  Western  country  can  amount 
to  nothing  so  long  as  Spain  holds  the  Mississippi.  Spain 
holds  the  Mississippi.  Now  she  asks  the  Western  settlements 
to  form  a  Government  under  her  protection.  The  thirteen 
States  will  not  try  to  stop  you  from  doing  that. 

"  You  say  you  won't  put  on  the  yoke  of  Spain.  Spain 
doesn't  ask  you  to  wear  a  yoke.  She  knows  she  can't  win  what 
she  must  have  —  our  trade  —  by  force.  To  stop  the  intrigues 
of  France  and  England  she  does  want  a  Grovernment  over 
here  —  a  new  republic  will  answer  perfectly  —  that  will  be 
in  sympathy  with  her  and  favour  her  in  trade.  Outside  of 
a  commercial  advantage,  Spain  asks  nothing  from  you  or  me. 
It  only  means  Spain's  backing  while  the  new  Government 
west  of  the  Alleghanies  gets  on  its  feet.  Once  the  new  Gov- 
ernment stands  alone  and  needs  no  European  help,  Spain 
would  retain  her  trade  advantage  because  of  her  just  and 
kindly  treatment  of  us  during  our  development." 

He  paused  and  Sevier  shot  in  — 


THE  EMPEROR  OF  THE  CREEKS  163 

*'  Wliat  do  you  get  out  of  such  a  combination  ?  " 

With  great  dignity  McGillivray  promptly  answered: 

"  I  should  still  be  Emperor  of  the  Creeks.  I  should  retain 
a  monopoly  of  the  Creek  trade  and,  very  probably,  should  have 
a  voice  in  the  affairs  of  the  Cherokee  ^N'ation.  No,  no.  Don't 
misunderstand  me.  I  shall  not  interfere  with  the  rights  of 
the  Cherokees.  John  Watts  and  others  are  convinced  of  that. 
My  influence  would  always  be  to  knit  the  two  nations  firmly 
together.  Once  that  is  accomplished  we  will  be  invinci- 
ble." 

'^  Against  whom  ?  ^' 

"  'V^Tiy,  against  any  trespasser,"  McGillivray  slowly  replied. 

"  Possibly  against  Spain  ?  " 

"  If  she  attempted  any  injustice,  yes.  And  we'd  whip  her, 
too.  For  she  would  have  to  bring  the  fight  to  us  or  lose  all 
she  has  over  here." 

"  Invincible  against  the  new  Western  republic  ?  " 

"  If  the  Western  settlements  treated  us  wrongly.  Cer- 
tainly." 

"  What  if  you  should  decide  we  were  treating  you  un- 
justlv,  when,  as  a  matter  of  truth,  we  were  treating  you 
fairly  ?  " 

'^  Spain  would  easily  adjust  any  such  differences." 

"  But,  knowing  you  could  defy  Spain,  would  you  permit 
her  to  settle  disputes  in  our  favour  ?  " 

For  the  first  time  during  their  interview  McGillivray  com- 
pletely lost  control  of  himself.  Leaping  up,  he  struck  the 
table  and  overturned  the  wine.  Kicking  over  his  chair,  he 
began  raging  from  one  end  of  the  room  to  the  other,  his  dark 
face  furious  with  passion.  Sevier  replaced  the  decanter  and 
rescued  a  book  from  a  puddle  of  wine.  Gradually  McGilli- 
vray's  emotion  subsided.  Returning  to  the  table,  he  righted 
his  chair  and  sank  into  it,  staring  gloomily  at  Sevier. 

"  Do  you  know,"  he  softly  began,  "  you  have  been  in  great 


164  EED  BELTS 

danger.  You  have  the  quality  of  making  men  like  you  to  an 
unusual  extent.  You  also  have  the  knack  of  maddening  men. 
For  the  moment  my  Creek  streak  told  me  to  kill  you.  I  am 
glad  I  did  not  give  in  to  it/' 

"  So  am  I/^  said  Sevier,  pulling  a  pistol  from  the  breast 
of  his  hunting-shirt.  "  For  I  should  have  acted  on  an  im- 
pulse, perhaps,  and  defended  myself." 

McGillivray's  eyes  half  closed  as  he  vratched  Sevier  twirl 
the  pistol. 

"  You  came  in  here  to  have  wine  and  cakes,"  he  murmured. 
^'  And  you  brought  a  deadly  weapon  with  you." 

"  You  have  a  long  knife  inside  your  coat,"  smiled  Sevier. 

"  What  do  you  propose  doing  ?  " 

"  Make  up  for  my  part  in  our  bad  manners,"  laughed 
Sevier,  taking  the  pistol  by  the  muzzle  and  handing  it  across 
the  table. 

McGillivray's  eyes  flew  open.  He  smiled  graciously  and 
murmured : 

"  A  gallant  gentleman.  I  meet  you  half  way.  Wine  and 
weapons  do  not  go  well  together." 

And  pulling  a  knife  from  inside  his  coat  he  tossed  it  and 
the  pistol  on  a  couch  at  the  side  of  the  room. 

Speaking  sorrowfully,  he  said : 

"  Sevier,  I  have  just  shown  you  a  wonderful  world  and  you 
interrupted  to  ask  silly  questions.  God  knows  you  nearly 
drove  me  out  of  my  reason.  I  can't  bear  to  have  common- 
place objections  thrown  at  me  when  I  am  painting  a  picture 
of  new  kingdoms.  I  took  you  up  where  you  could  see  your- 
self as  one  of  the  great  men  of  America  and  you  didn't  seem 
to  sense  it." 

"  If  you  showed  me  the  whole  world  from  the  top  of  a 
mountain  it  wouldn't  tempt  me  any,  Alexander  McGillivray, 
so  long  as  I  knew  misery  and  injustice  dwelt  at  the  foot  of 
the  mountain." 


THE  EMPEROR  OF  THE  CREEKS  165 

"  Will  you  go  with  me  to  Governor  Miro  at  Pensacola  ?  " 

"  Only  as  your  prisoner  —  by  force." 

"  But  Miro  is  a  friend  of  your  friend,  of  the  man  who  hates 
me,  James  Robertson." 

"  Miro  has  been  friendly  with  Jim ;  but  Jim  understands 
that  Miro  never  lets  courtesy  or  friendship  interfere  with  his 
master's  orders.  If  Charles 'III  says  for  Miro  to  do  a  thing, 
Don  Estephan  Miro  does  it,  regardless  of  whom  it  hits  or 
hurts." 

McGillivray  bowed  his  head  and  sighed,  and  said : 

"  Then  I  must  go  beyond  what  I  expected  would  be  neces- 
sary, beyond  my  own  inclination;  for  it  is  not  according  to 
my  best  judgment.  But  so  be  it.  You  are  a  stubborn  man, 
John  Sevier.  I  will  agree  with  you  that  we  can  form  no 
allegiance  with  Spain.  Say  the  word  and  I  will  inform  Don 
Miro  to  that  effect." 

"  What  is  that  word  ?  " 

^'^  That  you  will  form  an  independent  Government  out  of 
the  "Western  settlements." 

"No!" 

"  The  central  Government  will  not  oppose  you.'^ 

"  That  makes  no  difference." 

"  The  West  is  ripe  for  the  move." 

"  The  move  will  not  be  made." 

'^  You  will  have  twenty  thousand  riflemen.  I  will  pledge 
you  twenty  thousand  Indians.  You  shall  have  supreme  mili- 
tary command.  Together  we  can  laugh  at  Spain,  oust  her 
from  the  Mississippi  and  bury  the  ax  so  deep  there  shall  be 
no  more  burning  of  cabins,  or  of  prisoners  at  the  stake.  It 
will  mean  the  absolute  end  of  Indian  warfare,  and  a  pros- 
perity such  as  men  never  dreamed  of." 

"  Once  for  all,  McGillivray  of  the  Creeks,  I  will  form  no 
alliance  with  Spain.  I  will  work  to  establish  no  separate 
Government,  as  that  would  dismember  the  Union.     There  is 


166  EED  BELTS 

one  thing  I  will  do,  whether  we  create  a  new  State  or  fail." 

"  Well  ?  " 

"I  will  protect  the  Western  settlements  against  the  In- 
dians, be  they  Creek  or  Cherokee." 

"By !     You  throw  a  red  ax.     Then  this  is  the  ax  I 

hurl  back  to  you,"  snarled  McGillivray.  "My  treaty  with 
Spain  will  stand.  I  shall  surely  win  over  the  Cherokees. 
The  Chickasaws,  who  now  cling  to  Robertson's  hand  because 
of  their  chief's  friendship  for  him,  shall  join  us  or  be  stamped 
out.  We  will  blot  out  the  Western  settlements.  The  Ohio 
and  Northwestern  tribes  are  eager  to  join  us.  If  you  remain 
alive  to  see  the  border  cabins  in  flames  you  will  remember 
the  offer  I  made  to  you  in  all  friendliness.  Then  will  you 
decide  whether  you  followed  a  straight  or  a  crooked  trail." 

"  If  it  must  be  so,"  sighed  Sevier. 

McGillivray  tapped  the  bell  and  rose.  Sevier  also  stood. 
The  servant  entered  and  made  a  low  obeisance. 

The  Emperor  of  the  Creeks  stared  moodily  at  the  borderer, 
hospitality  struggling  against  resentment.  Almost  sullenly 
he  said: 

"  If  you  will  give  me  your  promise  you  will  not  attempt  to 
escape  from  the  village  during  the  night,  I  shall  be  pleased 
to  have  you  shown  to  a  guest  room.  The  bed  is  better  than 
what  we  furnish  in  the  cabins." 

^^  I  have  no  desire  to  leave  the  village  tonight.  I  promise. 
But  I  would  like  to  know  if  my  horse — " 

"Your  horse  has  been  brought  in  and  has  received  excel- 
lent care.  I  take  your  promise  to  save  you  from  a  disagree- 
able death.  It  is  impossible  for  you  to  escape.  The  dogs 
are  out.     See  here." 

Stepping  to  the  window,  he  leaned  out  and  whistled  shrilly 
on  his  fingers. 

A  wild  chorus  of  baying  answered  the  signal,  and  in  the 
faint  moonlight  Sevier  beheld  a  dark  patch   swerve  from 


THE  EMPEROR  OF  THE  CREEKS  167 

between  the  cabins,  running  close  like  wolves.  They  swept 
up  to  the  house  with  two  men  behind  them.  Halting  beneath 
the  window,  they  leaped  up  to  caress  their  master's  hand. 
For  a  minute  or  two  McGillivray  called  them  by  name  and 
stroked  the  heads  of  the  milling  mass.  They  were  gaunt, 
tawny  brutes,  one  being  more  than  a  match  for  any  man 
unarmed. 

Stepping  back  from  the  window,  McGillivray  remarked: 

"  It  would  be  hard  for  one  to  escape  my  pets.  They  are  a 
special  breed.  A  streak  of  the  mastiff,  and  the  rest  is  pure 
devil.  They're  trained  to  touch  no  one  in  the  village;  but 
woe  to  the  man  who  goes  out  of  bounds  against  my  orders. 
Give  me  a  thousand  such  and  I'll  chew  up  the  foolish  Chicka- 
saws  and  never  lose  a  warrior." 

Sevier  shuddered  and  followed  the  servant.  His  room  was 
on  the  first  floor  and  at  the  end  of  the  building.  It  was  large 
and  comfortably  furnished.  The  furnisliings  were  what  one 
would  expect  in  the  homes  of  the  seaboard  rich  but  with  per- 
haps more  of  the  Spanish  mode  than  would  be  found  in  the 
North.  On  a  shelf  in  the  corner  was  a  row  of  books,  but 
Sevier  was  not  overfond  of  books  and  gave  them  scant  heed. 
What  did  arouse  his  interest  was  a  wall  decoration  formed 
of  hunting-knives,  arranged  so  as  to  suggest  the  rising  sun, 
the  polished  blades  being  the  rays.  In  the  collection  were 
home-made  weapons  of  sturdy  strength  and  the  more  grace- 
fully shaped  pieces  of  European  origin. 

The  windows  were  open  and  there  was  nothing  to  prevent 
Sevier  from  stepping  out  on  to  the  grass  ground.  After  the 
servant  had  left  him  he  remained  at  the  window  and  looked 
across  the  silent,  empty  grounds  to  where  Jackson  was  im- 
prisoned in  the  cabin.  How  surely  had  the  young  Virginian 
answered  to  the  call  of  love,  even  to  entering  a  deadly  trap. 
Such  was  the  drawing-power  of  love  for  a  maid.  Such  should 
be  the  whole-souled  quality  of  a  man's  love  for  his  country. 


168  BED  BELTS 

And  where  tonight  were  the  Tonpits?  Were  they  alive, 
and  if  so,  in  Bed  Hajason's  camp  ?  It  sickened  him  to  think 
of  the  girl  in  that  rough  environment,  her  austere  father 
powerless  to  protect  her.  If  Jackson  hadn't  been  captured 
and  could  have  known  of  their  plight  he  could  have  rallied 
some  riflemen  —  but  that  was  as  useless  as  wishing  for  last 
year's  sunshine. 

"  Oh,  for  a  few  days  of  liberty  and  fifty  of  my  riflemen ! " 
groaned  Sevier.  Then  came  the  wild,  fantastic  thought  of 
calling  on  McGillivray  and  offering  to  go  and  bring  the  Ton- 
pits  to  Little  Talassee.  He  believed  McGillivray  would  gladly 
take  him  at  his  word.  He  would  object  to  the  riflemen  being 
employed  but  he  would  TNTLllingly  furnish  a  hundred  or  more 
Creeks. 

However,  that  would  be  playing  McGillivray's  game,  Spain's 
game,  the  devil's  game.  If  Jackson  could  get  back  to  the 
Nolichucky  and  arouse  the  men  —  the  inspiration  thumped 
against  his  mind  like  a  blow.  If  only  Jackson  could  escape 
and  run  the  Creek  and  Cherokee  gantlet!  The  Cherokees 
would  be  on  the  alert  to  prevent  Chucky  Jack's  return ;  Chief 
Watts  would  see  to  that.  A  man  must  need  have  wings  to 
escape  the  ferocious  dog-pack.  Still  such  chances  were  cre- 
ated for  men  to  take  and  laugh  at.  There  could  be  no  doubt- 
ing the  young  Virginian's  zeal  for  the  business ;  nor  his  woods 
cunning  in  putting  it  through. 

Stepping  to  the  book-shelf,  Sevier  tore  a  blank  page  from 
one  of  the  volumes.  On  a  table  in  the  corner  was  a  quill  and 
a  horn  of  ink ;  for  McGilUvray  of  the  Creeks  handled  a  quill 
as  readily  as  did  any  of  his  white  contemporaries  and  kept 
much  writing  material  easily  accessible.  The  borderer  wrote 
a  few  hurried  lines  to  Stetson,  explaining  his  fears  and  exhort- 
ing the  settler  to  raise  enough  men  to  make  the  raid  a  suc- 
cess. 

He  refrained  from  speaking  of  his  own  plight  and  simply 


THE  EMPEROR  OF  THE  CREEKS  169 

said  the  raid  on  Red  Hajason's  camp  could  be  made  "without 
any  fears  of  an  Indian  attack  during  the  riflemen's  absence 
from  Jonesboro.  Sanding  the  note,  he  carefully  examined  the 
fan  of  knives  on  the  wall  and  selected  four  of  extra  length, 
stout  of  haft  and  keen  of  edge. 

This  done,  he  extinguished  the  candle  and  returned  to  the 
window.  The  problem  of  the  dogs  remained.  They  ran  in 
a  pack  and  kept  patrolling  the  edge  of  the  extensive  grounds. 
Sevier  assumed  from  what  McGillivray  had  said  that  he  would 
not  be  attacked  while  inside  the  grounds.  But  to  be  discov- 
ered would  be  to  spoil  his  plans.  He  leaned  far  out  the  win- 
dow and  looked  and  listened.  The  slave-quarters  were  on 
the  other  side  of  the  house.  The  pack  had  gone  in  that  di- 
rection when  McGillivray  dismissed  it. 

Slipping  out  the  window,  the  borderer  stole  to  the  corner 
of  the  house  and  waited  until  he  glimpsed  a  shadowy  mass 
passing  behind  the  slaves'  cabins.  Then  retracing  his  steps, 
he  bowed  low  and  ran  swiftly,  keeping  to  the  shadows  of  the 
outbuildings  as  much  as  possible.  The  light  was  faint  and 
barely  sufficient  for  him  to  distinguish  one  cabin  from  an- 
other, but  his  sense  of  location  carried  him  to  the  window 
with  the  iron  bars.  Gliding  up  to  this,  he  whispered  Jack- 
son's name. 

"  Who  is  it  ?  "  Jackson  murmured,  cautiously  approaching 
the  window. 

"  Sevier !  Here  are  four  knives  and  a  message.  Put  two 
knives  under  your  bed.  I  will  remove  the  bar  from  the  door. 
When  you  hear  me  whistle,  look  out  and  see  if  the  dogs  are 
making  for  the  big  house.  If  they  are  you  must  make  for  the 
corral  and  mount  a  horse  and  ride  for  your  life.  Give  the 
message  to  Stetson.  It  orders  him  to  raise  some  riflemen  to 
go  with  you  to  the  camp  of  Red  Hajason,  an  outlaw.  I  be- 
lieve you  will  find  the  Tonpits  prisoners  there.  Take  them 
back  to  Jonesboro  and  hold  them  even  if  you  have  to  make 


170  EED  BELTS 

Major  Tonpit  a  prisoner.  On  no  account  is  lie  to  reach  this 
place.     The  note  explains  all — " 

"  But  you  ?     Can't  you  come  with  me  ?  "  pleaded  Jackson. 

"  I  must  stay.  I've  given  my  word.  Remember,  when  I 
whistle.  If  the  dogs  don't  come  to  me  then  you  must  decide 
for  yourself  how  much  risk  you  can  take.  Don't  try  it  unless 
you  believe  you  can  make  it ;  as  that  wouldn't  help  Miss  Elsie 
any.  To  be  caught  by  the  dogs  may  mean  death.  Look  out 
for  the  Cherokees  if  you  get  through.     Good-bye." 

Eetreating  in  the  shadows  of  the  buildings,  he  beheld  the 
pack  trotting  toward  the  big  house.  They  were  just  getting 
clear  of  the  slave-quarters  and  Sevier  ran  for  the  window, 
knowing  it  was  a  matter  of  seconds.  He  gained  the  low  sill 
without  the  pack  sounding  an  alarm  and  noiselessly  vaulted 
into  the  room  and  let  out  his  pent-up  breath  in  a  deep  sigh 
of  content. 

"  And  you  gave  your  word ! "  spoke  up  a  harsh  voice. 

Peering  about,  he  sought  to  pierce  the  darkness  but  was 
baffled.  He  knew  it  was  McGiUivray  but  he  could  not  see 
him. 

"  I  thought  I  saw  a  slinking  figure  outside.  I  couldn't 
believe  it  was  you.  I  felt  ashamed  to  come  down  here  to 
make  sure.  I  believed  I  was  insulting  you  by  coming.  Now 
I  find  you've  broken  your  promise." 

It  was  on  the  tip  of  Sevier's  tongue  to  deny  the  accusation 
hotly,  but  that  would  arouse  the  emperor's  suspicions  as  to 
the  truth. 

"  A  man  may  walk  about  the  village  without  breaking  his 
promise  not  to  leave  the  village,"  he  sullenly  replied. 
"  Where  the  devil  are  you  ?  " 

"  Walking  in  the  village ! "  bitterly  derided  McGillivray. 
'^You  started  to  escape  and  became  frightened  at  the  dogs." 

Sevier  said  nothing.  McGillivray  repeated  under  his 
breath : 


THE  EMPEROR  OF  THE  CREEKS  171 

'^  Frightened  at  the  dogs?  Hah!  You've  been  trying  to 
find  Polcher/' 

Still  Sevier  made  no  answer.  McGillivray  opened  a  door 
and  secured  the  lighted  candle  he  had  left  outside.  Holding 
it  high,  he  strode  up  to  the  borderer  and  scanned  him  closely. 

"  Your  eyes  gleam,  as  if  you  had  succeeded  in  something. 
Did  you  find  Polcher  ?  " 

Sevier  smiled,  refusing  to  speak.  McGillivray  made  to 
set  the  candle  on  the  table,  and  his  keen  gaze  at  once  noticed 
the  absence  of  the  four  knives.  He  leaped  to  the  wall  and  a 
glance  told  him  they  had  been  hastily  wrenched  from  their 
fastenings. 

His  right  hand  plucked  a  pistol  from  inside  his  coat. 
Levelling  it  he  demanded  — 

"  Where  are  those  knives  ?  '' 

"  Ask  Polcher,^'  defied  Sevier. 

"  If  you  have  harmed  Polcher  I  will  kill  you,"  promised  the 
emperor.  Still  keeping  an  eye  on  his  "guest,"  he  stepped  to 
the  window  and  sounded  his  whistle.  Up  raced  the  pack 
in  answer  to  the  familiar  call,  with  the  two  keepers  trotting 
behind  them.  Scrambling  and  crowding,  the  brutes  leaped 
up  until  their  red  eyes  glared  into  the  room.  Without  shift- 
ing his  gaze  from  Sevier,  McGillivray  extended  a  hand  and 
fondled  whatever  head  came  within  reach.  To  the  keepers 
he  said: 

"  One  of  3'ou  stay  with  the  dogs.  The  other  run  to  Pol- 
cher's  cabin  and  see  if  any  harm  has  come  to  him." 

The  order  was  promptly  obeyed  and  Sevier's  spirits  rose 
as  he  observed  the  man  was  making  off  in  the  direction  of 
the  slave-quarters. 

"  You  still  refuse  to  talk  ?  "  demanded  McGillivray, 

"  I  prefer  to  wait,"  was  the  calm  reply. 

The  dogs  continued  leaping  up  at  the  window ;  their  master 
kept  up  his  blind  caresses.     The  one  guard  stared  stupidly  at 


172  BED  BELTS 

the  tableau  of  the  two  men,  one  with  arms  folded  and  count- 
ing the  precious  minutes,  the  other  with  a  pistol  ready  in 
his  hand  and  frowning  heavily. 

At  last  there  came  a  patter  of  feet,  and  McGillivray  straight- 
ened and  brought  the  pistol  to  bear  on  Sevier's  deep  chest. 

"  If  the  verdict  is  against  you  I  have  decided  to  shoot  you 
here,"  he  grimly  informed. 

"  I  reckon  I  wouldn't  deserve  it.  I  never  promised  not  to 
harm  Polcher.  I've  told  you  several  times  I  fully  intend  to 
hang  him." 

"  Good  heavens !  You  couldn't  have  hung  him — alone !  " 
cried  the  emperor. 

Up  dashed  the  messenger  and  sagged  against  the  window- 
sill  and  waited  for  his  master  to  turn  and  address  him.  But 
McGillivray  would  not  remove  his  gaze  from  Sevier  and 
commanded  over  his  shoulder : 

"  Speak,  you  fool !  The  man  is  waiting  to  know  if  he 
lives  or  dies." 

"  The  man  Polcher  was  asleep,"  panted  the  man. 

"  Asleep  ?  You  mean  he  is  dead  ?  "  cried  the  emperor,  be- 
ginning to  contract  his  trigger-finger. 

"N'o,  your  Majesty,"  faltered  the  man,  fearing  a  rebuke 
for  stating  the  truth.  ''I  found  him  asleep.  He  woke  up 
and  cursed  me.  I  told  him  I  was  obeying  your  Majesty's 
orders.  At  that  he  sprang  from  his  blankets  and  began 
dressing." 

"  Alive !  "  exclaimed  McGillivray,  slowly  lowering  his  pistol. 

"  If  your  Majesty  please,  I  hear  some  one  coming,"  spoke 
up  the  second  keeper. 

In  another  moment  Polcher  stood  outside  the  window, 
blinking  at  the  candle  and  impatient  to  learn  what  it  all 
meant. 

"  I  am  sorry  to  have  disturbed  your  rest,"  McGillivray 
harshly  informed.     "But  my  guest  has  been  roaming  about 


THE  EMPEROR  OF  THE  CREEKS  173 

the  village,  and  four  of  my  knires  are  missing  from  the 
collection.     It  seems  it  was  a  false  alarm."     Then,  wheeling 

on  Sevier,  he  shouted,  " it,  man  !     Why  don't  you  speak  ? 

It's  dangerous  to  play  tricks  on  McGillivray  of  the  Creeks." 

"  I  wish  to  remind  his  Majesty  that  he  has  done  me  the 
dishonour  of  accusing  me  of  breaking  my  word  and  of  having 
killed  a  sleeping  man.  When  I  execute  Polcher  he  will  be  wide 
awake,"  Sevier  haughtily  replied,  fighting  for  more  time. 

"  If  the  All  Powerful  would  tell  me  what  has  happened  per- 
haps my  poor  wits  might  put  it  together  and  guess  the  truth," 
meekly  suggested  Polcher,  inwardly  raging  with  impatience. 

McGillivray,  deeply  irritated,  briefly  narrated  the  fact  of 
Sevier's  theft  of  the  knives  and  of  his  absence  from  his  room 
and  his  return  to  it. 

Polcher,  standing  shoulder-deep  among  the  dogs,  gripped 
the  window-sill,  his  eyes  flaming  as  he  sensed  the  truth. 

"  He  took  the  knives  to  use  against  your  pets.  But  he 
returns  without  them.  So  he  must  have  taken  them  to  some 
one  else.     Perhaps  to  the  man  called  Jackson.     I  advise — " 

With  a  shout  of  rage  McGillivray  leaped  through  the  win- 
dow and  ran  toward  the  cabin,  the  pack  at  his  heels.  The  em- 
peror's passion  subsided  as  he  saw  the  cabin  door  was  closed : 
then  flared  high  as  a  closer  approach  revealed  it  was  unfas- 
tened. He  tore  the  door  open  and  Polcher  leaped  inside  and 
kicked  about  the  narrow  confines  and  swept  his  hands  over 
the  rought  pallet  of  straw. 

"  He's  gone !  "  shouted  the  tavern-keeper  as  he  bounded  over 
the  threshold. 

A  guard,  who  had  run  to  one  side,  now  sounded  a  second 
alarm. 

"  The  horses  are  loose !  "  he  screamed. 

"  To  the  woods  with  the  dogs !  To  the  woods !  Take 
command,  Polcher !  Let  the  dogs  have  him  if  they  catch 
him !     Arouse  the  warriors  I     That  man  must  not  escape !  " 


CHAPTER  IX 


polcher's  little  ruse 


ALL  night  the  search  for  Jackson  worried  the  forest. 
Sevier  slept  but  little  as  McGillivray  occupied  an 
adjoining  room  and  walked  the  floor  much  of  the 
time,  pausing  only  when  some  messenger  came  to  report  or 
when  he  deemed  it  necessary  to  leave  the  house  to  give  fresh 
orders.  At  sunrise  Sevier  from  his  window  saw  the  wearied 
pack  limp  into  the  village,  the  two  keepers  staggering  behind 
them,  kept  moving  by  the  animals'  haul  on  the  leashes.  As 
the  dogs  were  passing  the  borderer's  position  McGillivray 
ran  out  of  the  house  and  demanded  of  the  keepers  — 

"  Why  are  you  back  without  the  white  man  ?  " 

"  He  took  to  water  and  washed  out  his  trail,"  grunted  one 
of  the  Indians.  "  He  rode  fast,  although  the  night  was  very 
black.  We  lost  time  at  the  creek  in  picking  up  his  trail  again. 
Then  we  followed  only  to  find  he  had  taken  to  water  again. 
With  the  dogs  on  the  leash  we  made  slow  headway." 

"  On  the  leash  ?  I  told  you  to  let  the  dogs  have  him ! " 
thundered  McGillivray.     "^^You  should  have  loosed   them." 

"  We  did  slip  two  free,  Petro  and  Little  One,  the  fiercest 
and  swiftest  of  the  pack.  We  sent  them  after  him  the  mo- 
ment we  left  the  village,"  was  the  humble  reply.  "  Petro 
did  not  come  back.  We  found  him  where  the  white  man 
first  took  to  the  water.  Here,  Little  One !  "  And  the  Indian 
pulled  forward  a  huge  brute  whose  sides  had  been  wickedly 
slashed.  And  he  explained,  "  The  Little  One  crawled  back 
to  meet  us  before  we  found  Petro's  body.     Came  back  like 

this.     I  was  afraid  to  set  them  all  free,  fearing  they  would 

174 


POLCHER'S  LITTLE  RUSE  175 

come  up  with  him  one  or  two  at  a  time.  And  surely  he  is 
a  black  spirit." 

The  emperor's  eyes  turned  toward  the  open  window  and 
made  Sevier  think  of  a  flash  of  a  knife  as  it  leaps  from  the 
sheath  in  the  sunlight. 

"  I  have  my  guest  to  thank  for  this, "  slowly  remarked 
the  emperor.  "  My  best  dog  gone  and  another  all  but  done 
for.  And  the  prisoner  still  free.  Take  the  dogs  away  and 
see  they  are  well  fed  and  rested." 

He  would  have  turned  back  to  the  house,  but  Polcher 
now  came  galloping  from  the  forest,  his  horse  in  a  lather. 
McGillivray  called  out  to  him  and  the  tavern-keeper  raced 
up  and  sprang  to  the  ground. 

"  The  dogs  have  failed.  What  about  you  ? "  asked  the 
emperor. 

"  I  think  I  shall  get  him,"  replied  Polcher.  The  words 
sent  a  chill  to  Sevier's  heart.  "  Your  warriors  are  spread- 
ing out  to  the  east  and  west  to  cut  in  ahead  of  him.  And  I 
have  sent  runners  north  to  warn  the  Cherokees  to  bar  his 
path.     I  do  not  see  how  he  can  escape." 

"  Luck  seems  to  be  against  me,"  complained  McGillivray. 
"  The  prisoner  told  me  he  had  spent  much  time  in  the 
Shawnee  country.     He  must  be  very  cunning." 

"  Let  him  be  as  cunning  as  the  whole  Shawnee  Nation 
and  yet  he  must  pass  through  the  neck  of  the  bottle  before 
he  can  escape,"  boasted  Polcher.  "I  don't  care  how  much 
he  wanders  about  in  the  Creek  country.  He  is  our  prisoner 
until  he  strikes  into  the  Cherokee  country  and  gets  beyond 
the  Hiwassee  River.  Even  should  he  by  some  miracle  dodge 
the  Cherokees  of  Great  Hiwassee  and  the  lower  villages  and 
cross  the  river  he  will  stand  but  a  small  chance  of  reaching 
the  Tellico.  But  should  he  do  that  still  the  Cherokees  will 
stick  at  his  heels  till  he  reaches  the  French  Broad.  We'll 
see  if  his  Shawnee  cunning  can  carry  him  that  far ! " 


176  EED  BELTS 

Polcher's  confidence  and  enthusiasm  invigorated  McGilli- 
vray's  spirits  and  his  sombre  countenance  lightened. 

"  You  have  .done  well,  Polcher.  I  think  we  shall  bag  the 
young  man  yet/' 

He  walked  toward  the  house  with  more  confidence  in  his 
step,  but  on  second  thought  halted  and  called  after  Polcher, 
who  was  leading  his  horse  away  — 

"  One  word  more,  Polcher :  how  far  will  my  Creeks  go  ? '' 

"  Until  they  get  him,"  was  the  laconic  answer. 

"I'm  afraid  that  won't  do.  The  Cherokees  might  not 
understand.  They  may  think  I'm  riding  rough-shod  over 
their  land,"  McGillivray  worried. 

"Not  at  all,  your  Majesty,"  hastily  reassured  Polcher. 
"  The  messengers  I  sent  are  intelligent  f eUows.  They  will 
explain  the  situation  fully  to  John  Watts.  He  will  welcome 
any  aid  that  will  stop  the  man  from  getting  back  to  the 
Watauga  settlements.     It's  as  much  his  game  as  it  is  ours." 

"We'll  hope  so.  But  after  I've  eaten  I  think  I  will  send 
a  talk  to  Watts  and  Old  Tassel  to  make  sure  they  under- 
stand." 

"  If  your  Majesty  please,  I'm  sure  Watts  wiU  be  in  hot 
pursuit  of  the  man  before  your  talk  can  reach  Great  Hiwassee. 
As  for  Old  Tassel,  I  didn't  think  it  wise  to  have  the  mes- 
sengers see  him.  He's  weak.  The  less  he  knows  about  things 
the  better  it  will  be.  Time  enough  to  explain  to  him  after 
we've  caught  our  man." 

McGillivray  frowned  a  bit,  inclined  to  disfavour  any  risk 
of  arousing  the  Cherokees'  resentment,  but  accepted  the  ad- 
vice by  nodding  his  head  and  waving  his  hand  in  dismissal. 

In  a  few  minutes  there  came  a  soft  tap  on  Sevier's  door 
and  a  house-servant  entered  and  informed  — 

"  My  master  asks  Mr.  Sevier  to  join  him  at  the  table." 

Sevier  made  ready  to  follow  and  noted  that  the  servant  was 
curiously  studying  the  knives  on  the  wall. 


POLCHER'S  LITTLE  RUSE  177 

*^  Only  the  four  are  missing/''  laughed  the  borderer,  suspect- 
ing the  man  was  under  orders  to  make  sure  the  "  guest "  had 
not  secreted  a  blade  on  his  person.  "  I  am  unarmed.  Lead 
the  way.'' 

"With  a  deep  bow  the  servant  did  so,  and  Sevier  soon  stood 
in  a  pleasant  side  room.  McGillivray  was  at  the  window.  A 
table  was  set  for  two.  The  emperor  haughtily  returned  the 
borderer's  greeting  and  motioned  for  him  to  be  seated. 

After  the  servant  had  served  them  and  had  withdrawn 
Sevier  blandly  asked  — 

"  How  goes  the  chase  ?  " 

"  You  should  know.  You  were  at  the  window  when  I 
talked  with  the  Indians  and  with  Polcher,"  was  the  cold 
reply. 

''  Jackson  is  a  brave  fellow.  He  deserves  to  escape/' 
Sevier  stoutly  maintained. 

"  My  four  knives  helped  him,"  McGillivray  grimly  re- 
minded, his  gaze  becoming  baleful. 

"  Then  thank  God  for  the  knives ! "  Sevier  devoutly  cried. 

"I  would  much  prefer  he  had  died  than  to  have  lost 
Petro,"  the  Emperor  dissented. 

"  Then,  shame  on  you,  Alexander  McGilHvray !  " 

^'  Ha !  You've  saved  up  more  bold  words  over  night," 
gritted  the  emperor,  leaning  back  in  his  chair.  "  Be  careful, 
Sevier.  You  are  not  in  my  white  town  of  Coosa.  You  are 
in  the  red  town  of  Little  Talassee  on  the  Coosa  Eiver.  A 
vast  difference." 

"  I'm  where  a  dog  is  valued  more  highly  than  a  clean 
young  American." 

"  American  ?  It's  seldom  I  hear  the  word,"  McGillivray 
grimly  taunted.  "  I  fear  it  will  never  become  the  fashion. 
But  do  heed  my  warning  about  picking  your  words.  I  am 
irritable  this  morning,  inclined  to  act  on  impulse." 

"  I  feel  quite  safe,  sir.     You  have  too  much  white  blood  in 


178  RED  BELTS 

you,  and  you  have  mixed  too  much  with  white  men,  to  de- 
scend to  barbarism.'  ' 

"  I  don't  know  that/'  slowly  replied  the  emperor.  "  When 
I  first  learned  of  my  dog's  death  —  by  my  own  knives  —  my 
Indian  blood  ran  very  hot.  And  I  tell  you  seriously,  Sevier, 
and  I  mean  every  word  of  it,  that  while  I  prefer  to  win  my 
ends  without  resorting  to  brutality  I  will  allow  no  white 
man's  comfort  or  life  to  stand  between  me  and  success.  I 
have  saved  many  captives  from  the  torture ;  but  if  the  giving 
of  you  to  my  Creeks  to  play  with  would  bring  me  success 
you  should  pass  under  the  skinning-knives  most  surely." 

Sevier  bowed  gravely  and  retorted: 

"  I  believe  you,  McGillivray  of  the  Creeks.  And  if  my 
passing  under  the  knives  of  your  warriors  will  block  your 
schemes,  then  my  hide  is  very  much  at  your  service." 

McGillivray  could  not  suppress  a  flash  of  admiration.  With 
a  short  laugh  he  said : 

"  After  all,  we  may  be  able  to  remain  friends.  You  make 
people  like  you,  even  those  who  try  to  hate  you.  I  thought 
I  hated  you  during  the  night.     This  morning  I  was  positive  of 

it.     But  I  can't.     me !     You  are  a  man.     Still,  I  shall 

send  you  to  your  death  in  cold  blood  if  I  decide  your  death 
is  necessary  for  my  plans." 

"  I  understand  you  perfectly,"  was  the  cheery  reply. 
"  There  are  times  when  a  liking  for  a  man  goes  only  so  far. 
Don  Estephan  Miro  has  a  genuine  liking  for  Jim  Robertson, 
yet  he'd  cut  his  throat  if  he  had  the  chance  and  his  royal 
master  should  command  it." 

And  the  borderer  attacked  the  deer  venison  with  much 
gusto. 

McGillivray  had  no  appetite  and  was  content  to  play  with 
his  food  while  his  gaze  wandered  to  the  window,  watching 
for  a  messenger  to  bring  good  news.  Suddenly  he  pushed 
back  his  chair  and  leaped  to  the  window.     Several  Indians 


POLCHER'S  LITTLE  RUSE  179 

were  emerging  from  the  mouth  of  the  trail  and  a  white  man 
rode  in  their  midst. 

" me !     But  they've  got  him  ! ''  he  triumphantly  cried. 

"  Where  are  your  Creek  eyes  ?  "  Sevier  contemptuously  de- 
manded. "  The  white  man  is  much  too  large  for  Jackson. 
He  wears  a  beard.     Great  Injuns  !     It's  Red  Hajason !  " 

McGillivray's  exultation  changed  to  bitter  disappointment. 
The  newcomer  certainly  was  not  Kirk  Jackson;  nor  did  he 
bear  himself  as  a  prisoner,  although  surrounded  by  warriors. 
He  still  carried  weapons  in  his  belt  and  held  his  head  high. 
As  the  emperor  stared  Polcher  ran  across  the  open  ground  and 
intercepted  the  cavalcade.  He  exchanged  a  few  words  with 
Hajason,  then  turned  and  ran  toward  the  big  house. 

"  The  rascal  has  courage,  but  he  shall  hang  if  any  harm 
has  come  to  the  Tonpits,"  muttered  McGillivray. 

"  Your  man  Polcher  seems  to  be  acquainted  with  him," 
murmured  Sevier  between  mouthfuls. 

The  horsemen  passed  from  sight.  McGillivray  conquered 
his  desire  to  run  out  and  interrogate  the  outlaw  and  resumed 
his  chair  at  the  table,  forcing  himself  to  an  appearance  of 
indifference.  He  had  barely  swallowed  a  mouthful  of  the 
meat  when  the  servant  came  in  and  mumbled  something. 

"  Bring  my  pistols,"  the  emperor  curtly  commanded. 

The  servant  turned  to  a  small  desk  and  produced  a  brace 
of  Spanish  weapons,  long  of  barrel  and  profusely  inlaid  with 
gold  and  silver.  Thrusting  one  of  these  into  the  bosom  of 
his  coat  and  dropping  the  other  in  his  lap,  McGillivray  next 
directed  — 

"  Now  show  both  of  them  in." 

Polcher  came  first,  bowing  low.  Behind  him  with  head 
erect  stalked  the  huge  form  of  Red  Hajason.  Just  inside 
the  threshold  the  outlaw  halted  and  stared  insolently  at  the 
emperor. 

"  Red  Hajason,  of  the  Hiwasee  and  the  Tugalo  rivers,"  an- 


180  EED  BELTS 

nounced  Polcher,  standing  to  one  side.  "  He  was  picked  up  by 
your  Majesty's  Indians  while  on  his  way  here  with  an  im- 
portant talk  for  you." 

"I've  heard  of  you,  Hajason/'  lazily  informed  the  em- 
peror. "  And  I  never  heard  anything  good.  I  was  just 
telling  John  Sevier  that  if  you  have  done  what  you're  charged 
with  doing  I  probably  shall  have  to  hang  you." 

Hajason  opened  his  bearded  lips  in  an  ugly  grin  and 
replied  — 

"My  neck'll  stand  a  heap  of  hangin',  I  reckon.  An'  it 
ain't  never  been  cracked  yet.  But  I  ain't  here  to  talk  'bout 
hangin'.     I  come  to  talk  trade." 

"  Well,  what  have  you  to  trade  ?  " 

"  A  white  man  an'  a  white  woman." 

"  Major  Tonpit  and  his  daughter  ?  " 

"  Them's  the  two/'  grinned  the  outlaw. 

" your    insolence ! "    softly   hissed    McGillivray,    the 

hand  in  his  lap  closing  over  the  pistol. 

"  It's  been  done  many  times/'  grunted  Hajason,  beginning 
to  grow  angry. 

"  You  and  Polcher  worked  together  in  this?'*  demanded 
McGilHvray. 

"  Work  with  him  ?  With  that  double-faced  varment  ?  Eed 
Hajason  works  alone/'  growled  the  outlaw. 

"  But  the  man  called  Hester  helped  you  in  this  little  coup/' 
said  McGilHvray,  now  folding  his  arms  and  leaning  back  to 
stare  the  outlaw  squarely  in  the  face. 

Again  the  outlaw's  brutal  good  humour  asserted  itself, 
and  he  chuckled  and  informed : 

"  I  don't  count  Hester  as  a  partner.  Jest  a  dog-gone  fool. 
Howsomever,  I'll  admit  it  was  him  what  put  the  game  up  to 
me  an'  showed  me  there  was  money  in  it.  That's  all  I  asked 
of  him." 


POLCHER'S  LITTLE  RUSE  181 

Darting  a  wrathful  glance  at  Polcher,  McGiUivray  bitterly 
reminded : 

"  Hester  was  your  trusted  tool.     You  pick  your  men  well !  " 

"I  shall  kill  him  when  I  meet  him,"  promised  Polcher. 

To  the  outlaw  McGiUivray  said: 

"  Suppose  you  say  just  what  sort  of  a  bargain  you  wish 
to  make  with  me.     After  all,  we  may  be  able  to  trade." 

"  An'  why  not  ? "  eagerly  cried  Hajason,  the  lust  for 
profit  showing  in  his  gleaming  eyes.  "  I've  got  somethin'  ye 
hanker  for.     Ye've  got  somethin'  I  want." 

"  Yes ;  I  want  the  Tonpits.  "What  will  you  take  ? " 
promptly  asked  McGiUivray. 

"  Two  thousand  pounds,"  was  the  cool  response. 

"  If  it  was  possible  for  you  to  leave  this  village  without 
being  torn  to  bits  by  my  dogs  I  would  advise  you  to  peddle 
your  wares  elsewhere,"  said  McGiUivray.  Then  he  let  him- 
self go,  and  in  a  voice  that  trembled  with  passion  he  de- 
nounced, "  You  base-born  cur !  You  dare  step  between  Mc- 
GiUivray of  the  Creeks  and  his  ambitions  ?  You  dare  dictate 
what  he  shall  pay  for  stolen  goods  ?  " 

With  the  snarl  of  a  wild  animal  Red  Hajason  dropped  his 
hand  to  his  belt,  but  Polcher  pushed  the  muzzle  of  his  pistol 
against  the  shaggy  head,  while  the  emperor's  folded  arms 
opened  and  a  second  pistol  was  brought  to  bear.  Polcher 
deftly  slipped  his  hand  along  the  giant's  belt  and  removed 
his  weapons,  stood  back  from  him  and  looked  inquiringly  at 
the  emperor,  his  eyes  asking  whether  he  should  shoot  or 
not. 

Hajason  realized  his  peril.  Fighting  down  his  anger,  he 
moistened  his  lips  and  apologetically  said: 

"  Hard  words  always  rile  me.  I  come  here  alone  to  drive 
a  bargain.  Why  shouldn't  I  have  some  ambitions  as  well  as 
ye?     Ye  don't  own  the  Tonpits.     They  come  to  me  without 


182  EED  BELTS 

my  askin',  an'  I've  held  'em  in  camp.  Tonpit  has  money 
an'  offered  me  a  thousand  pounds,  gold,  for  to  be  free  along 
with  the  girl.  Afore  bargainin'  with  him  I  come  to  see  if 
ye'd  outbid  him.     That's  all." 

For  a  full  minute  McGillivray  pondered  over  his  frank 
statement;  then  he  smiled  whimsically,  replaced  his  pistol 
and  brusquely  admitted: 

"  Yes ;  5^ou  have  a  right  to  take  your  profit.  If  you  had 
accepted  the  major's  thousand  pounds  he  would  have  come 
to  me.  I'll  give  the  two  thousand  for  the  safe  delivery  of 
him  and  the  girl  here  at  Little  Talassee.  Two  thousand 
pounds  for  the  two.  McGillivray,  Emperor  of  the  Creeks, 
does  not  have  to  haggle  over  terms.  When  can  you  have 
them  here  ?     Time  presses." 

Eed  Hajason  combed  his  beard  and  turned  to  stare  at 
Sevier.     Pointing  to  the  borderer  he  said: 

"  If  that  man  can  be  kept  here,  so's  he  can't  interfere,  I'll 
not  lose  a  minute  in  gittin'  back  to  my  camp.  I'll  return 
here,   fetchin'   the   Tonpits,   as   fast   as  hossflesh  can  bring 


us." 


"  Mr.  Sevier  plans  to  spend  the  Summer  with  me,"  quietly 
assured  McGillivray.  ^'  Should  he  go  away,  it  will  be  on  a 
very  long  journey  and  in  a  direction  opposite  to  the  one 
you  will  take  in  returning  to  your  camp." 

Polcher  smiled.  Hajason  was  slower  to  catch  the  point, 
but  when  he  did  he  broke  into  a  loud  guffaw. 

" my  liver,  McGillivray,"  he  cried,  "but  ye're  a  neat 

one !  ^  Opposite  direction ! '  To  the  Twilight  Western  land, 
eh  ?  Ha  !  Ha !  An'  takin'  along  mighty  little  skin  on  that 
fox  body  of  his,  eh  ?  Good !  I'll  eat  an'  git  a  fresh  hoss  from 
ye  an'  start  back  on  the  hump." 

"  The  sooner  the  better,"  insisted  McGillivray. 

Polcher  handed  back  the  outlaw's  weapons  and  the  two 
departed,  Polcher  bowing  himself  out  in  his  best  landlord's 


POLCHER^S  LITTLE  EUSE  183 

manner,  Eed  Hajason  giving  his  back  abruptly  and  shaking 
the  table  with  his  heavy  tread. 

^^  He  doesn't  seem  to  have  much  respect  for  you/'  remarked 
Sevier,  smiling  as  he  beheld  the  flare  of  anger  flushing  Mc- 
Gillivrav's  face. 

"  The  dog !  The  miserable  dog !  And  he's  all  white. 
Mark  you  that,  Sevier!  There  is  no  Indian  blood  in  him. 
He's  a  completed  product  of  your  race." 

"  Once  I  get  back  to  the  Xolichucky  I  hope  to  improve  the 
race.  We've  weeded  out  quite  a  few  of  his  kind,"  Sevier 
lightly  responded. 

McGillivray  tossed  his  pistols  aside  and  left  the  table. 
Standing  beside  Sevier's  chair,  he  abruptly  began : 

"  We've  been  making  believe  a  bit.  We've  talked  at  cross- 
purposes.  I've  no  more  time  to  be  polite.  It's  business 
from  now  on.  Will  you  give  me  your  word  not  to  try  to 
escape  if  I  allow  vou  the  freedom  of  Little  Talassee  ?  " 

"  IS' o,  sir !  " 

*^  Will  you  promise  not  to  escape  until  after  the  Tonpits 
arrive  ?  " 

"  Xo,  sir !  I  propose  to  escape  at  the  first  opportun- 
ity." 

"  But  you  came  here  to  see  them." 

"  I  shall  leave  here  to  stop  their  coming  here." 

"  If  that's  your  frame  of  mind  I  must  make  you  a 
prisoner,"  regretfully  decided  McGillivray.  "  I'm  honestly 
sorry  to  have  to  do  it.  I  enjoy  your  company.  I  get  small 
opportunity  to  talk  with  intelligent  men.  But  you're  med- 
dling with  big  affairs.  You  threaten  to  annoy  me,  to  em- 
barrass me.     I  would  be  a  fool  to  permit  it.'  ' 

"  There's  something  much  larger,  much  grander,  than 
the  schemes  you're  planning,  Alexander  McGillivra}^  Your 
little  ambitions  to  pose  as  ruler  of  a  Creek-Cherokee  federa- 
tion, under  the  protection  of  Spain,  will  never  be  realized. 


184  EED  BELTS 

Shut  me  up  in  your  stoutest  prison  or  kill  me,  but  don't  be 
foolish  enough  to  believe  that  my  dropping  out  will  give  you 
a  clear  trail.  Only  after  you've  killed  the  soul  of  some 
twenty-five  or  thirty  thousand  people  west  of  the  moun- 
tains can  you  place  your  feet  on  the  path  leading  to  a  real- 
ization of  your  mad  dreams." 

McGillivray  picked  up  the  pistols  and  thrust  them  un- 
der his  coat  and  firmly  replied  — 

"Yet  I  will  enter  that  path  and  walk  to  the  end  even  if 
it  requires  the  death  of  every  settler  this  side  of  the  Alle- 
ghanies ! " 

Sevier  sprang  up  and  sternly  demanded  — 

"  Send  for  my  gaoler.'' 

McGillivray  summoned  the  servant  and  directed  him  to 
bring  Polcher  and  six  warriors.  While  they  waited,  the  two 
men  stood  with  the  table  between  them,  eying  each  other  in 
silence.  Through  the  window  Sevier  glimpsed  Eed  Hajason 
riding  into  the  forest.  Then  the  door  opened  to  admit  the 
tavern-keeper  and  the  Creeks. 

"  This  man  is  my  prisoner,"  McGillivray  tersely  explained. 
"  He  is  to  be  watched  closely,  but  no  harm  is  to  come  to 
him  unless  he  is  caught  outside  his  cabin.  If  he  manages 
to  get  out  of  his  cabin,  if  only  a  foot  from  the  door,  he  is  to 
be  killed.  You,  Polcher,  will  be  responsible  for  him.  You 
can  command  what  guards  you  may  find  necessary.  I  give 
him  into  your  charge,  and  see  to  it  you  can  produce  him  when 
I  send  for  him." 

"  Eest  eas}^  your  Majesty,  that  he  shall  be  produced  when 
wanted,"  Polcher  joyously  promised. 

"  Take  him  away." 

Sevier  fell  in  between  the  warriors  and  was  led  out-doors. 
Polcher  walked  behind  him  with  drawn  pistol. 

Without  glancing  back  the  borderer  said  — 

"You'd  like  mighty  well  to  have  me  make  a  bolt  for  it." 


POLCHEE'S  LITTLE  RUSE  185 

"  I^d  love  to  have  you/'  hissed  Polcher.  "  And  some  one 
we  both  know  is  a  big  fool  to  bother  with  you  for  a  second. 
You  thought  you  held  the  whip-hand  after  I  killed  Old 
Thatch.  You  reckoned  you  was  through  with  me  when  I 
quit  Jonesboro  on  the  jump.  But  all  scores  come  to  a  reckon- 
ing sometime,  and  here  you  are  in  Little  Talassee;  and  be- 
fore Winter  comes  I'll  be  back  on  the  Xolichucky  burning  a 
few  of  our  old  friends.  But  I  promise  you  Bonnie  Kate 
shall  not  burn." 

With  a  low  groan  Sevier  gripped  his  fingers  till  the  nails 
cut  the  flesh.  Maddened  with  rage,  he  still  had  mind  enough 
to  know  Polcher  was  endeavouring  to  force  him  into  open 
violence.  Then  the  pistol  at  his  head  would  crack  and  the 
tavern-keeper  would  be  exonerated  for  killing  a  refractory 
prisoner. 

"  Eemember  this,  Polcher.  You're  to  die  by  the  noose,  and 
I'm  going  to  be  the  hangman,"  whispered  Sevier. 

"  Bah  !  "  laughed  Polcher  scornfully. 

It  was  the  cabin  Jackson  had  been  imprisoned  in  that 
they  took  him  to.  As  he  was  passing  through  the  doorway 
a  servant,  sent  by  McGillivray,  came  running  up  with  a  roll 
of  blankets.  Polcher  considered  this  forethought  to  be  a 
sign  of  weakness  in  the  emperor  and  hurled  the  roll  viciously 
at  the  borderer's  head  and  s\^aing  the  door  and  dropped  the 
heavy  bar. 

Pausing  outside  at  the  window  he  softly  gibed : 

"  McGillivray  is  a  mad  fool.  Aitev  he  clears  the  way 
Spain  wiU  rule  through  men  like  me.  I  tell  you  this  as  I'm 
positive  you  won't  repeat  it  to  the  emperor.  And  when  I 
am  ruler  I  shall  find  a  bonnie  wife  in  Bonnie  Kate.  That 
is,  if  I  decide  to  marry  her." 

Sevier  bent  and  found  one  of  the  two  knives  Jackson  had 
concealed  under  his  pallet  of  straw  and  glided  cat-like  to 
the  window,  the  knife  held  behind  him.     Never  suspecting 


186  EED  BELTS 

he  held  a  weapon,  yet  rendered  uneasy  by  the  awfnl  anger 
raging  in  the  blue  eyes,  Polcher  gave  ground  and  saved  his 
life.  Keeping  the  weapon  behind  him,  Sevier  contented  him- 
self with  saying  — 

"  You  will  pay  for  everything  when  you  pay  for  your 
neck." 

Polcher  began  to  feel  afraid  of  the  imprisoned  man. 
There  was  something  so  inexorable  in  the  borderer's  low- 
pitched  voice ;  it  was  more  menacing  than  any  raving  in  over- 
tones. Sevier  could  not  harm  him  —  now.  But  let  him  get 
free  and  no  obstacles  could  prevent  him  from  reaching  the 
man  who  had  dared  to  utter  the  name  of  Bonnie  Kate 
in  his  boasts.  Eetreating  still  farther  from  the  white  face 
at  the  window,  the  tavern-keeper  selected  three  Creeks  and 
ordered  them  to  guard  the  cabin  until  he  returned. 

Two  of  the  men  remained  in  front  to  watch  the  door  and 
window,  while  the  third  guarded  the  rear,  lest  by  some 
miracle  Chucky  Jack  should  break  loose.  Although  the 
Creeks  were  thrown  in  contact  with  Sevier  less  often  than  their 
Northern  brothers,  his  reputation  had  lost  none  in  travelling 
South.  That  their  emperor  ranked  him  high  was  shown  by 
the  hospitality  at  the  big  house.  The  man  Jackson  had 
not  been  taken  there. 

In  spite  of  his  taunts  Polcher  was  far  from  satisfied  with 
the  situation.  The  feeling  grew  upon  him  that  so  long  as 
Sevier  lived  so  long  would  he  have  a  [N'emesis  on  his 
trail.  To  have  Sevier  a  prisoner  meant  nothing.  He  had 
been  a  prisoner  at  the  big  house.  The  only  difference  in  his 
status  now  was  the  change  of  quarters.  Then,  too,  Mc- 
Gillivray  might  change  his  mind.  His  soul  was  not  the 
red  man's,  and  he  admired  his  captive. 

Should  the  Tonpits  arrive  and  should  the  emperor  decide 
his  success  was  sure,  it  would  be  like  him  to  release  Chucky 
Jack  and  have  him  up  to  the  house  for  wine  and  cakes  again. 


POLCHEE'S  LITTLE  EUSE  187 

Then  the  inevitable  would  happen  —  Chucky  Jack  would 
escape.  And  there  was  a  deadly  quality  in  Sevier's  last  threat 
which  inclined  Polcher  to  great  uneasiness.  So  the  obsession 
grew  up  in  his  mind  that  neither  the  fate  of  Spain's  nor  of 
McGillivray's  plans  was  so  important  to  him  as  the  knowl- 
edge that  Sevier  had  breathed  his  last. 

"  So  long  as  he  lives  my  neck  is  in  danger/'  he  muttered. 

" him  and  his  talk  of  the  noose."     And  he  rubbed  his 

neck  nervously.  ^^  If  I  had  a  little  more  Cherokee  in  my  veins 
I'd  begin  to  think  I  was  a  fool  to  kill  that  eagle.  Xow  if 
he  was  to  die  —  but  he  is  not  to  be  harmed !  He  must  be 
treated  like  a  high  and  might}^  gentleman,  curse  him  —  unless 
he  breaks  loose.  Ah !  There's  a  thought.  If  some  one 
would  kindly  help  him  get  clear  of  the  cabin  where  I  could 
shoot  him  down  or  feed  him  to  the  dogs.  It's  worth  think- 
ing about." 

Only  the  more  he  meditated  over  the  idea  the  more  pro- 
nounced became  the  problem  of  securing  a  trustworthy  tool. 
Even  did  he  bribe  a  slave  or  Indian  to  unfasten  the  door 
to  Sevier's  little  prison  there  remained  the  risk  of  the  ac- 
complice being  detected  and  telling  the  truth.  In  event  of 
violated  orders  McGillivray  would  have  the  truth  if  he 
dragged  out  a  man's  heart  by  the  roots  to  get  it. 

He  even  considered  the  possibility  of  inducing  some  one 
to  open  the  door  and  then  shooting  him  down  and  openly 
branding  him  as  a  traitor  to  his  master.  But  such  a  scheme 
demanded  that  he  be  alone  with  his  accomplice  when  the  trick 
was  played.  The  arrival  of  an  Indian  on  the  scene  would 
spoil  the  game. 

There  would  sure  be  some  slip  up,"  he  told  himself. 
—  it!  There's  but  one  way  left.  I  must  free  him  my- 
self, shoot  him  in  his  tracks  and  let  McGillivray  suspect  the 
whole  nation.  No  one  being  guilty  there  will  be  no  one  to 
confess.     But  what  if  I  didn't  hit  him  ?    What  if  he  escaped 


188  EED  BELTS 

or  he  killed  me.  Huh!  There  is  one  way  that's  sure. 
Kill  him  inside  the  cabin,  then  drag  him  out  and  claim  I 
jumped  him  outside.^^ 

But  how  to  make  it  appear  logical  that  Sevier  had  es- 
caped without  help?  There  were  two  points  of  egress  possi- 
ble, providing  a  man  had  the  proper  tools  and  plenty  of 
time  —  the  door  and  window.  To  cut  through  the  door  from 
the  outside,  so  as  to  make  it  appear  the  job  had  been  done  from 
the  inside,  would  require  the  presence  of  a  knife  in  the  cabin. 
There  would  be  no  time  to  hack  a  hole  through  the  stout  door 
after  shooting  the  prisoner  through  the  window;  and  Sevier 
would  be  certain  to  investigate  any  assault  made  on  the  door 
while  he  lived.  The  same  objections  were  encountered  in  con- 
sidering the  window. 

It's  got  to  be  done  mighty  quick,"  summed  up  Polcher. 

The  door's  got  to  be  thrown  open  the  minute  he's  potted 
through  the  bars.  He's  got  to  be  dragged  outside  before  the 
sound  of  a  shot  disturbs  any  one." 

For  the  rest  of  the  day  he  worked  on  the  idea  and  at  last 
came  to  a  solution,  which,  after  testing  it  from  all  angles, 
gave  every  promise  of  success  because  of  its  simplicity  and 
directness.  At  no  time  would  it  oust  him  from  control  of 
the  situation,  and  he  whittled  it  down  to  so  fine  a  point  that 
only  one  shot  would  be  necessary. 

Shortly  before  sunset  he  visited  the  slave-quarters  and, 
selecting  a  dull-witted  man,  directed  him  to  take  a  platter  of 
food  and  carry  it  to  the  prisoner  after  the  slaves  had  had 
their  supper.  This  would  mean  an  hour  after  dusk.  In 
concluding  his  directions  he  touched  the  fellow's  belt  and 

said  — 

"And  have  a  knife  in  there  so  he  won't  try  to  reach 
through  the  window  and  catch  you  as  you  pass  the  pan  through 
the  hole." 

The  slave's  eyes  grew  round  with  fear.     He  had  no  heart 


POLCHER'S  LITTLE  RUSE  189 

for  any  errand  that  suggested  danger.  And  it  was  whispered 
among  the  slaves  that  even  the  emperor  was  afraid  of  this 
white  man.  Returning  to  Sevier's  cabin,  he  dismissed  all  the 
guard  but  one.     To  him  he  said: 

"  When  the  slave  comes  with  the  food  you  may  go.  He  will 
stay  until  relieved.^' 

The  Indian  grunted  and  Polcher  hurried  to  his  own  cabin 
and  secured  his  rifle  and  a  brace  of  pistols. 

Making  into  the  woods,  he  skirted  the  village  until  in 
the  rear  of  the  locked  cabin.  The  beauty  of  his  scheme  was 
the  assurance  no  harm  could  come  to  him  if  it  failed.  If 
it  did  not  work  tonight,  then  tomorrow  night.  When  it  did 
work  the  warriors  and  their  emperor  would  be  called  to  the 
spot  by  excited  cries  and  the  sound  of  a  shot.  They  would 
rush  up  to  find  the  slave  dead,  stabbed  with  his  own  knife, 
and  the  prisoner  dead  outside  the  open  door.  The  explana- 
tion would  be  simple. 

The  slave  foolishly  entered  the  cabin  with  the  food  instead 
of  thrusting  it  through  the  slot.  Sevier,  quick  to  see  his 
chance,  had  snatched  the  fellow's  knife  and  inflicted  a  mortal 
wound  and  then  sprang  from  the  cabin  to  fall  before  Polchers 
pistols  or  rifle. 

Sevier  was  as  hungry  for  night  as  was  Polcher.  The  two 
knives  cached  under  his  straw  bed  would  soon  permit  him 
to  dig  out  enough  iron  bars  to  squeeze  his  slender  body  through 
the  opening.  He  must  work  softly  so  as  not  to  alarm  the 
guard  outside.  But  should  one  of  the  guards  discover  him 
at  his  task  the  fellow  must  be  quieted  and  secured.  For  such 
a  contingency  he  thanked  McGillivray  for  the  blankets;  at 
the  edge  of  sunset  he  swiftly  used  his  knife  and  turned  one 
blanket  into  narrow  strips  and  braided  these  into  a  tough 
rope. 

WTien  Polcher  came  and  gave  instructions  to  the  guard 
Sevier  hid  the  blanket-rope  under  the  bed,  fearing  lest  the 


190  RED  BELTS 

tavern-keeper  should  venture  to  peep  inside  and  discover  signs 
of  his  handiwork.  Early  in  the  day,  when  Bonnie  Kate's 
name  fell  from  the  rascal's  lips,  the  borderer  would  have 
forgotten  his  plans  to  escape  and  would  have  been  content  to 
flash  a  blade  through  the  bars  and  rip  open  the  lying  throat. 
!N"ow  he  was  calmer  and  would  accept  nothing  but  escape. 
Polcher  could  pay  up  later. 

He  stood  at  the  window  as  if  idly  looking  out  on  the  dusk- 
littered  opening,  but  in  reality  cutting  deep  into  the  window- 
sill  to  get  beneath  the  end  of  a  bar.  The  one  guard  was  im- 
patient to  be  relieved  and  was  giving  scant  heed  to  the  cabin. 
The  knives  were  strong  and  keen  and  the  task  was  far  easier 
than  Sevier  had  anticipated.  He  soon  came  to  the  end  of 
one  bar  and,  testing  it  gently,  knew  he  could  bend  it  back 
and  upward  with  one  push  of  his  powerful  arm.  Leav- 
ing it,  he  assailed  the  next,  estimating  that  he  must  loosen 
four. 

The  dogs  had  not  yet  been  turned  out,  and,  whereas  he 
had  originally  planned  to  take  his  time  and  escape  during 
the  night,  he  now  was  determined  to  make  the  break  while 
only  the  slave  was  on  guard.  He  rejoiced  that  Polcher's 
voice  had  carried  the  information  to  him.  A  slave  would  be 
much  easier  to  deal  with  than  a  warrior.  He  would  succumb 
to  fear  and  refrain  from  attempting  to  give  any  alarm. 
Whether  or  not  he  should  escape  directly  after  receiving  his 
supper  would  depend,  however,  on  whether  the  dogs  were 
loose  or  chained  in  the  slave-quarters. 

He  w^orked  feverishly  and,  having  learned  the  knack  of  the 
job,  made  better  time  in  cutting  to  the  embedded  end  of 
the  second  bar.  The  sun  by  this  time  had  waded  deep  into 
the  forest  and  the  film  of  shadow  over  the  village  blurred  ob- 
jects a  few  rods  from  the  cabin.  The  guard  began  grumbling 
in  a  minor  tone  and  walked  a  dozen  feet  from  the  cabin  and 
stared  impatiently  toward  the  fires  in   front  of  the   slave' 


POLCHEE'S  LITTLE  EUSE  191 

quarters.  The  slaves  were  singing  and  dancing  about  the 
fires,  and  the  warrior  grew  very  peevish.  The  third  bar  was 
ready  to  be  forced  clear. 

The  guard  stalked  back  in  front  of  the  window  but  never- 
bothered  to  give  it  a  glance.  Turning  abruptly  and  grum- 
bling more  forcefully,  he  retraced  his  steps  and  walked  some 
distance  from  the  cabin.  Now  Sevier  caught  the  wild  melody 
of  a  slave  drawing  near,  singing,  perhaps  to  bolster  up  his 
courage.  The  Indian  called  sharply  to  him.  The  man  came 
on  slowly,  his  song  hushed.  The  Indian  went  to  meet  him 
and  paused  to  warn  him  not  to  leave  the  cabin  until  relieved. 
The  slave  slowly  came  on,  bearing  a  steaming  dish  in  one 
hand,  his  other  nervously  feeling  of  the  knife  in  his  raw- 
hide belt.     The  fourth  bar  was  cut  free  at  the  lower  end. 

Standing  to  one  side  of  the  window,  his  strips  of  blanket  in 
one  hand,  Sevier  thrust  the  two  knives  into  his  belt  to  have 
a  hand  free  for  receiving  the  pan  when  it  came  through  the 
slot.  He  heard  the  slave  halt  at  the  end  of  the  cabin  near 
the  door.  He  thought  he  caught  the  murmur  of  voices.  The 
discovery  startled  him,  although  it  was  possible  the  slave  was 
muttering  to  himself.  Then  he  stiffened  and  his  jaws  clamped 
together  as  there  came  a  muffled  groan  and  the  thud  of  a 
heavy  body  falling  to  the  ground. 

His  first  thought  was  that  Kirk  Jackson,  unable  to  break 
through  the  Creek  and  Cherokee  lines,  had  doubled  back  and 
was  to  repay  his  debt  by  setting  him  free.  A  moment  of 
silence,  then  the  sound  of  a  heavy  body  being  dragged  to 
the  door.  The  next  moment  the  window  was  blocked  by  a 
man's  head  and  shoulders. 

"  Sevier,^'  whispered  a  low  voice.     "  Where  are  you  ?  " 

Had  it  been  Jackson,  the  door  would  have  been  thrown 
open  immediately.  Turning  his  head  away,  Sevier  fiercely 
whispered  — 

"  On  the  bed." 


192  EED  BELTS 

And  plucking  a  knife  from  his  belt  he  tossed  it  on  the 
straw. 

"I  can  make  you  out  now!"  hissed  Polcher,  reaching  his 

pistol  far  between  the  bars.     " you!     This  is  where  I 

win ! " 

He  fired  and  found  his  arm  caught  in  an  iron  grip.  A 
hand  was  fumbling  at  his  head.  He  essayed  to  throw  it  off 
but  decided  its  efforts  were  weak  and  futile,  and  he  believed 
he  had  wounded  his  man.  To  make  sure  he  reached  his  free 
hand  for  his  second  pistol.  The  grip  on  his  right  wrist  was 
amazingly  strong  for  a  wounded  man.  A  panic  seized  him 
as  the  pistol  caught.  Then  something  touched  the  back  of 
his  neck,  pressed  against  the  sides,  began  crowding  his  Adam's 
apple.  He  tried  to  shriek.  From  a  great  distance  came 
Sevier's  metallic  voice,  crying: 

"  So  you'll  bother  Bonnie  Kate,  eh  ?  You  killed  an  eagle 
out  of  season.  It  spoiled  your  medicine.  The  noose,  you 
know  — " 

McGillivray  of  the  Creeks  stood  in  front  of  the  big  house 
when  a  muffled  shot  rang  out.  There  followed  no  outcry,  yet 
the  shot  was  a  sinister  omen  to  the  emperor's  moody  train 
of  thought.  He  could  not  locate  the  sound  but  believed  it 
came  from  the  direction  of  Sevier's  cabin.  He  walked  in 
that  direction  until  he  met  a  warrior.     Of  him  he  asked  — 

"  Where  is  the  man  Polcher  ?  " 

"  He  stands  at  the  window  of  the  cabin,  talking  with  the 
white  man,"  answered  the  warrior.  ^'  I  heard  a  gun  shoot. ,  I 
ran  to  look  and  found  him.  I  spoke  and  asked  him  if  any- 
thing was  the  matter.  He  didn't  speak.  Just  stood  with 
his  face  against  the  bars.  There  were  no  other  guards 
there." 

Instantly  suspicious  that  the  tavern-keeper  was  planning 
to  play  him  false,  having  been  won  over  by  the  borderer's 
magnetism,  the  emperor  ordered: 


POLCHEFS  LITTLE  EUSE  193 

"  Call  the  warriors  and  surround  the  cabin.  Tell  Polcher 
to  come  to  me.     If  he  refuses,  bring  him." 

The  warrior  melted  away  in  the  darkness.  He  had  scarcely 
departed  when  a  figure  broke  through  the  gloom  and  Mc- 
Gillivray  greeted : 

"  I  was  just  sending  for  you,  Polcher.  My  men  tell  me 
you  were  guarding  the  cabin  alone." 

"  Your  messenger  must  travel  far  to  find  Polcher,"  re- 
turned a  well-known  voice  and  Sevier,  now  standing  by  the 
emperor's  side,  presented  a  pistol.  "  Polcher  is  dead.  Died 
by  the  noose,  as  I  said  he  must  die." 

McGillivrav  stood  as  one  paralvsed.    Finally  he  choked  out : 

"  God !     Is"^  it  possible !  " 

"  Take  me  into  the  house ! "  hissed  Sevier  as  a  loud  yell 
broke  up  the  evening  calm.  There  came  the  patter  of  moc- 
casined  feet  running  swiftly.     "  Inside,  quick !  " 

Propelled  by  the  prodding  pistol,  the  emperor  led  the  way 
into  the  house,  panting: 

" you,   Sevier !     Polcher  was  right.     I   should  have 

killed  you !     You  bribed  one  of  the  Indians." 

"  With  what  ?  "  grovrled  Sevier.  "  A  slave  brought  me  my 
supper.  Polcher  killed  him  at  my  door.  Then  tried  to  shoot 
me  through  the  window.  The  game  was  simple.  I,  dead, 
was  to  be  dragged  out.  Polcher  would  claim  the  slave  opened 
the  door  and  that  I  killed  him.  Then  he  came  up  and  killed 
me;  that  would  have  been  his  story.  With  a  strip  of  your 
blanket  round  his  throat  he  now  stands  dead,  tied  to  the  only 
iron  bar  in  the  window  I  did  not  remove.  He  was  caught 
in  his  own  trap.  Take  me  to  the  room  where  I  slept  last 
night." 

The  pistol  muzzle  was  all  compelling,  and,  picking  up  a 
candle  from  the  hall  table,  McGillivray  with  bad  grace  led 
the  way  into  the  apartment  containing  the  collection  of 
knives. 


194  EED  BELTS 

"But  you  can't  escape !''  exploded  McGillivray,  his  be- 
wilderment slowly  passing.  "  I  don't  imagine  you  plan  to 
murder  me.  Even  if  you  did_,  you  couldn't  get  clear  of  the 
village." 

"  McGillivray  of  the  Creeks,  it's  a  chance  for  me  to  escape 
or  your  life,"  sternly  admonished  Sevier.  "  Do  as  I  say  and 
you  live,  although  it  may  mean  my  recapture.  Try  any  tricks 
and  you're  a  dead  man  as  surely  as  Polcher  is  a  dead  man." 

McGillivray  of  the  McGillivrays  was  now  his  old  unper- 
turbed self  and  whimsically  declared: 

"  My  life  comes  first.    What  will  you  have  ?  " 

"  Order  your  servant  to  bring  your  horse  and  rifle  to  this 
window.  I  took  Polcher's  pistols.  I  shall  want  powder  and 
bullets.  Then  tell  your  Creeks  that  I  escaped  to  the  south 
and  order  them  to  take  the  dogs  and  go  in  that  direction." 

The  village  was  now  in  an  uproar.  Torches  were  flitting 
back  and  forth;  men  were  surrounding  the  big  house.  The 
dogs,  infuriated  by  the  confusion,  were  raising  their  ferocious 
voices,  demanding  to  be  released  for  action.  As  Sevier  fin- 
ished a  hundred  warriors  ran  to  the  lighted  window,  calling 
out  to  their  master  that  the  man  Polcher  was  dead  and  that 
Little  John  had  escaped  by  using  black  magic.  Some  terrible 
evil  spirit  had  slain  a  slave,  wrenched  the  iron  bars  from  the 
window  and  tied  the  dead  Polcher  up  to  the  window. 

The  Emperor  stood  in  the  open  window.  Sevier  stood 
against  the  wall  at  one  side  with  the  pistol  raised  and 
levelled. 

"  Now  earn  your  life,"  whispered  the  borderer. 

"  Take  the  dogs  and  go  south !  "  roared  the  emperor.  "  He 
seeks  to  escape  that  way.  One  of  you  bring  my  horse  and  rifle, 
powder  and  bullets  here  to  this  window.     Oif !     All  of  you." 

The  crowd  rushed  away.  The  dogs,  however,  had  already 
been  brought  out  and  taken  to  the  cabin.  They  had  found  the 
scent  and  were  following  it  to  the  big  house. 


POLCHER^S  LITTLE  ELSE  195 


<( 


You  must  stop  them. !  '^  warned  Sevier. 

McGillivray  thrust  his  head  from  the  window  and  ener- 
getically repeated  his  command.  The  keepers  could  not  un- 
derstand why  their  terrible  pets  should  be  so  keen  to  enter 
the  master's  house,  but  McGillivray  of  the  Creeks  was  not 
to  be  questioned  and  they  began  belabouring  the  animals  and 
dragging  them  away.  A  servant  came  up,  skirting  the  milling 
mass  of  struggling  brutes,  leading  McGillivray's  favourite 
mount.     The  emperor  groaned  and  muttered   — 

"  I'd  prefer  you  had  taken  all  my  horses  rather  than  to 
take  King.'^ 

^*  He  will  be  unharmed  and  you  shall  have  him  back,  pro- 
viding he  is  not  torn  by  your  pack  or  shot  by  your  warriors,^' 
comforted  Sevier. 

"  Curse  you,  Sevier  — " 

"  Go  ahead.  Curses  never  hurt  any  one  yet,"  encouraged 
Sevier  as  the  emperor  halted. 

"  It's  a  foolish  habit.     I'll  wait,''  mumbled  the  emperor. 

"  Send  the  servant  away." 

McGillivray  obeyed.  By  this  time  the  dogs  had  been 
dragged  to  the  southern  limits  of  the  village  and  the  warriors 
were  already  scouting  the  trail  that  led  to  the  gulf.  Sevier 
made  the  emperor  face  the  wall  and  with  a  sheet  ripped  from 
the  bed  tied  his  hands  behind  his  back.  Forcing  him  to  be 
seated  on  the  bed,  he  proceeded  to  secure  his  ankles.  When 
he  improvised  a  gag  the  royal  prisoner  opened  his  mouth  to 
shout  for  assistance,  but  the  pistol  silenced  him. 

"  John  Sevier,  I'll  have  your  life  for  this,"  he  whispered. 

The  borderer  thrust  the  gag  into  his  mouth  and  made  it 
fast,  remarking: 

"You're  getting  off  easy.  It  would  be  better  for  the 
settlements  if  I  could  bring  myself  to  stop  your  plotting  for 
all  time.  If  we  meet  on  the  border  there  will  be  no  quar- 
ter." 


196  EED  BELTS 

With  that  he  leaped  through  the  window  and  into  the 
saddle  and  galloped  away  to  enter  the  northern  trail.  The 
few  warriors  and  slaves  he  passed  recognized  the  horse  and 
marvelled  that  their  master  should  be  riding  north  after  send- 
ing the  dogs  and  the  fighting-men  to  the  south. 


J 


CHAPTER  X 

THROUGH   THE  NECK  OF  THE  BOTTLE 

SEVIER'S  lead  in  the  race  for  freedom  depended  largely 
on  the  length  of  time  McGillivray's  plight  should  re- 
main undiscovered.  The  dogs  would  balk  at  going 
south  and  their  keepers  would  soon  realize  the  fugitive's  trail 
lay  not  in  that  direction.  Given  the  sunlight,  the  borderer's 
fleet  mount  would  cover  miles  before  a  pursuit  to  the  north 
could  be  organized.  But  night  reduced  the  pace  of  all 
horses  to  a  mediocre  plane.  Sevier  entered  the  trail  on  the 
gallop  but  was  quickly  compelled  to  rein  in  and  proceed  cau- 
tiously. 

He  rode  with  his  ears  tuned  to  catch  the  first  note  of 
alarm  behind  him.  He  had  advanced  but  a  short  distance 
when  he  came  to  a  shallow  stream.  He  turned  his  horse  into 
this  and  followed  it  slowlv  toward  the  east.  He  believed 
it  was  the  same  water  Jackson  had  taken  to  in  hiding  his  trail. 
On  leaving  it  he  swung  back  to  strike  into  the  Great  War- 
Path,  going  by  the  map  he  carried  in  his  mind.  As  he  broke 
through  a  patch  of  broom-sage  on  the  side  of  a  low  hill  and  en- 
tered the  hard-packed  path  the  sinister  sound  he  had  been 
anxiously  anticipating  floated  to  him  on  the  evening  air; 
a  long-drawn  bell-like  note. 

"  Sooner  than  I  had  expected,"  he  grimly  muttered,  shak- 
ing the  reins. 

Now  he  rode  recklessly,  bending  low  to  escape  the  clawing 

boughs  and  trusting  to  his  horse  to  keep  to  the  path.     The 

animal  soon  splashed  into  running  water.     Reining  in  with 

some  difficulty,  he  forced  the  animal  to  ascend  the  stream 

197 


198  EED  BELTS 

for  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  this  time  travelling  due  west.  Then 
followed  a  repetition  of  his  first  manoeuvre  of  beating  back 
to  the  main  trail.  He  planned  to  follow  the  Coosa  until  he 
had  crossed  into  the  Cherokee  countr}^  when  he  would  leave 
it  below  Turkey  Town.  Eiding  across  country,  he  could 
pick  up  the  river  again  and  follow  its  head-waters  until  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  the  Hiwassee. 

On  re-entering  the  trail  he  had  covered  but  a  short  dis- 
tance when  he  was  startled  again  to  hear  the  baying  of 
the  dogs.  He  had  counted  on  the  animals  being  delayed  on 
reaching  the  two  streams.  Not  knowing  whether  he  had  fol- 
lowed the  streams  west  or  east,  the  pack  would  have  to 
course  the  streams  in  both  directions  before  correcting  the 
fault. 

"  Sharp  devils,  those  Creeks !  "  he  grumbled.  "  Outguessed 
me,  or  learned  a  lesson  from  trydng  to  catch  Jackson.  They 
either  divided  the  pack,  half  searching  the  creeks  while  the 
other  kept  straight  ahead,  or  else  theyVe  paid  no  attention  to 
the  water  and  are  holding  all  the  brutes  to  the  path." 

This  suspicion  impelled  him  to  ignore  the  next  stream. 
The  two  detours  already  made  had  cost  him  time  and  dis- 
tance. He  could  tell  by  the  increased  volume  of  the  baying 
that  the  chase  was  closing  in.  Then  followed  a  short  period 
of  silence  so  far  as  the  chase  was  concerned,  only  to  be 
snapped  by  a  frantic,  exulting  chorus  close  behind  him. 

"  They Ve  let  them  loose !  "  he  gritted,  driving  his  heels 
into  the  quivering  flanks. 

To  be  overhauled  and  dragged  from  the  saddle  was  not  on 
Sevier's  program.  He  pushed  ahead  until  the  trail  opened 
into  a  strip  of  meadow  land  bounded  by  the  waters  of  the 
Coosa  and  a  sharp  slope  of  a  rock-littered  ridge.  Here  it  was 
possible  to  distinguish  form.  Dismounting,  he  led  the  horse 
up  the  rocky  slope  and  tied  him  to  a  tree.  Stumbling  on,  he 
came  to  what  he  was  searching  for,  several  boulders  so  ar- 


THROUGH  THE  NECK  OF  THE  BOTTLE   199 

ranged  as  to  afford  protection  on  three  sides.  To  get  at  him 
the  dogs  must  enter  the  pocket  by  the  one  mouth. 

Placing  his  rifle  and  pistols  before  him,  he  slipped  off  his 
hunting-shirt  and  wrapped  it  about  his  left  arm.  Sticking 
his  two  knives  into  the  ground,  he  settled  on  his  heels  to 
wait.  Somewhere  in  the  night  a  whippoorwill  —  waguU  the 
Cherokees  call  it  because  of  its  song  —  was  monotonously- 
reiterating  its  plaintive  cluster  of  notes.  From  deeper  in  the 
forest  came  the  screech-owl's  im-huJiu;  but  of  human  and 
four-footed  enemies  there  was  never  a  soimd. 

When  the  crisis  broke  it  was  so  close  at  hand  as  to  seem  to 
be  in  his  very  face;  a  triumphant  chorus  of  the  bloodthirsty 
trackers.  Sevier's  wide  gaze  made  out  several  vague  forms 
racing  up  the  slope  to  where  reared  the  frightened  horse. 
He  counted  five,  one  running  behind  the  other,  their  un- 
dulating bodies  suggesting  the  approach  of  a  monster 
serpent. 

The  horse  shrilly  voiced  his  terror;  the  pack  swerved  aside 
and  came  for  the  rocks.  Eaising  his  rifle,  the  borderer  care- 
fully covered  the  leader  and  fired.  Down  crashed  the  brute, 
its  mates  leaping  over  the  dead  form  and  dashing  onward. 
Dropping  the  rifle,  he  snatched  up  the  two  pistols  and  held 
his  fire  for  a  brace  of  seconds.  He  caught  one  a  dozen  feet 
from  the  opening  between  the  rocks  and  disabled  a  third  when 
it  was  almost  upon  him.  Seizing  the  knives,  he  rested  on  one 
knee  and  plunged  a  blade  through  the  heart  of  the  fourth  as 
it  leaped  against  him.  The  impact  of  the  huge  body  bore 
him  backward  but  he  managed  to  regain  something  of  his  bal- 
ance as  the  remaining  animal  closed  in  and  grabbed  for  his 
throat  and  instead  caught  the  bandaged  arm. 

Stabbing  and  slashing,  Sevier  pressed  the  fighting,  and 
after  a  few  moments  of  convulsive  struggling  the  beast  sud- 
denly relaxed,  his  teeth  still  locked  through  the  tough  folds 
of  the  hunting-shirt.     It  required  much  -effort  to  release  the 


200  KED  BELTS 

shirt  from  the  ferocious  jaws.  Having  succeeded,  he  ended 
the  misery  of  the  wounded  beast.  He  was  bruised  and  bat- 
tered and  bore  some  slight  abrasions  on  the  left  arm,  but 
otherwise  was  uninjured.  Eecovering  his  weapons,  he  took 
time  to  reload  them,  then  limped  to  his  horse  and  climbed 
into  the  saddle. 

He  was  satisfied  the  dogs  were  far  in  advance  of  their  keep- 
ers and  that  the  rest  of  the  pack  were  still  on  the  leash.  Ee- 
turning  to  the  trail,  he  resumed  his  flight.  Far  behind  him 
sounded  the  ominous  baying,  but  he  gave  it  scant  heed.  The 
dogs  at  the  creek  had  picked  up  his  trail,  but  the  fight  among 
the  rocks  had  increased  his  optimism.  His  star  was  in  the 
ascendancy. 

For  three  days  and  nights  Sevier  made  liis  way  north,  each 
hour  bringing  him  nearer  the  neck  of  the  bottle  through 
which  he  must  pass.  Jackson's  flight  undoubtedly  had 
aroused  the  country.  McGillivray's  runners  despatched  on 
the  heels  of  the  young  Virginian  must  have  sent  a  cloud  of 
Cherokees  across  all  paths.  The  Creeks  in  large  numbers 
were  beating  the  country  as  they  advanced.  It  was  obvious 
to  the  borderer  that  McGillivray  had  been  promptly  released 
and  had  lost  no  time  in  calling  back  the  men  and  dogs  from 
the  southern  trail.  But  there  had  been  no  sign  of  the  dogs 
for  the  last  seventy-two  hours. 

There  was  a  menace  in  the  rear,  however,  more  deadly  than 
the  dogs  —  columns  of  smoke  which  warned  the  Cherokees  to 
be  on  the  watch  for  a  fugitive.  He  tried  to  make  himself 
believe  that  Jackson  had  won  through,  but  there  ever  re- 
mained a  doubt.  The  young  ranger  was  cunning  in  wood- 
craft, else  he  never  would  have  brought  his  hair  back  from 
the  Ohio  country.  But  to  run  the  lines  of  John  Watts'  men 
demanded  a  bit  of  luck  along  with  forest  wisdom. 

As  Sevier  drew  near  the  neck  of  the  bottle  late  in  the  aft- 
ernoon of  the  third  day  he  decided  the  race  was  not  to  the 


THKOUGH  THE  NECK  OF  THE  BOTTLE       201 

fleet.  He  would  save  time  and  insure  his  final  escape  by  re- 
maining concealed  until  the  edge  of  the  chase  had  dulled 
itself.  Once  his  enemies  believed  he  had  broken  through 
the  search  would  broaden  and  move  north  to  the  Hiwassee, 
leaving  him  the  comparatively  easy  task  of  following  along 
behind  the  hunters. 

Possibly  his  shift  in  tactics  was  influenced  largely  by  the 
nature  of  the  country  he  was  entering.  To  the  east  and 
north  stretched  an  extensive  area  of  swamp  land,  dotted  with 
hummocks  and  thick  with  bog  growths.  Nearly  a  mile  back 
in  the  dismal  region  a  rounded  dome,  formed  by  sturdy  hard- 
woods, cut  the  flat  sky-line  and  marked  a  low  hill.  He  studied 
the  terrain  ahead  carefully.  His  horse  was  badly  fagged  for 
want  of  rest  and  pasturage.  He,  himself,  was  worn  by  lack 
of  sleep  and  food.  Behind  him  were  the  Creeks,  urged  on 
by  the  ire  of  their  emperor.  And  he  had  no  doubt  that  the 
Cherokees  were  blocking  every  path  aJbead. 

Leading  liis  horse,  he  skirted  the  edge  of  the  swamp  until 
he  found  a  faint  trail  where  hunters  had  penetrated  in  search 
of  wild  fowl.  Taking  his  horse  by  the  bridle,  he  encouraged 
the  weary  animal  to  follow  him  among  the  quaking  morasses^ 
The  path  was  narrow  and  barely  to  be  discerned  and  wound 
among  many  death-traps.  More  than  once  the  borderer 
passed  over  only  to  have  the  horse  flounder  deep  in  the  slime. 
Once  under  way,  however,  there  was  no  turning  back.  He 
must  pass  on  even  if  forced  to  abandon  the  horse.  And 
King,  as  the  emperor  had  named  him,  had  grown  to  trust  his 
new  master,  and  Chucky  Jack  was  not  one  to  leave  a  friend. 

"  I'll  stick  by  you,  old  fellow,  as  long  as  you  can  keep  above 
the  muck,''  he  promised  after  extricating  the  frightened  ani- 
mal from  an  especially  bad  bit. 

The  steaming  vegetation  masked  them  from  the  view  of  any 
standing  on  the  edge  of  the  swamp,  but  if  it  had  not  been  at 
the  beginning  of  dusk  the  occasional  flight  of  startled  water-^ 


202  RED  BELTS 

fowl  must  have  betrayed  them.  As  the  light  faded  Sevier  re- 
newed his  efforts,  scarcely  pausing  to  pick  and  choose.  He 
must  reach  the  low  hill  before  the  night  blinded  him.  The 
last  quarter  of  a  mile  was  a  desperate  plunge.  Several  times 
he  believed  the  horse  was  lost  and  pulled  his  pistol  to  give  a 
clean  death,  when  the  intelligent  animal  by  a  super-effort 
won  the  right  to  live. 

When  he  felt  firm  ground  under  his  soaked  moccasins  he 
had  no  thought  of  Creek  or  Cherokee  and  threw  himself  down 
to  rest.  The  horse  gladly  shifted  for  himself  and  found  the 
pasturage  rank  and  rich.  Some  time  during  the  night  Sevier 
groped  his  way  up  the  slope  and  cut  boughs  and  indulged  in 
the  luxury  of  a  bed.  But  he  did  this  as  one  in  a  dream  and 
had  scant  recollection  of  it  when  he  awoke  in  the  morning. 

With  the  new  sun  to  warm  him  he  worked  the  stiffness  out 
of  his  joints  and  succeeded  in  knocking  oter  a  water-fowl 
with  a  stick.  Selecting  some  dry  sticks  that  would  give  a 
minimum  of  smoke,  he  lighted  a  tiny  fire  inside  a  dense  clump 
of  swamp-cedar  and  ate  his  first  full  meal  since  leaving  Little 
Talassee.  He  saw  that  the  food  problem  would  cause  him 
no  worry;  the  swamp  was  carpeted  by  game  birds.  Water 
remained  to  be  found. 

Hunting  up  his  horse,  he  followed  his  trail  to  a  spring. 
With  thirst  and  hunger  satisfied,  he  proceeded  to  examine  the 
low  hill,  or  knoll,  and  as,  he  had  expected  discovered  it  was 
surrounded  by  the  swamp.  Toward  the  north,  however,  the 
signs  indicated  an  easier  escape  than  that  afforded  by  the 
route  he  had  taken  in  gaining  his  refuge.  He  could  see  oc- 
casional groups  of  deciduous  trees  that  demanded  a  stout  soil. 

Ascending  to  the  top  of  the  knoll,  he  climbed  an  oak  and 
obtained  a  wider  survey  of  the  country.  In  the  east  the  low- 
lands met  the  sky-line.  The  extent  of  the  swamp  to  the 
south,  his  back  track,  was  much  less  but  so  hazardous  to  con- 
template that  he  wondered  how  he  ever  managed  to  cross  it 


TKROUGH  THE  XECK  OF  THE  BOTTLE       303 

with  the  horse.  The  Great  War-Path  skirted  the  swamp  on 
the  west,  and  the  solid  forest  wall  in  that  direction  was  quite 
close,  not  more  than  half  a  mile  away,  but  was  barred  by  open 
expanses  of  water. 

The  path  to  the  north  was  the  way  out.  Now  that  he  pos- 
sessed a  high  coign  of  vantage  he  could  trace  the  course  most 
desirable  to  follow.  For  many  minutes  he  examined  the 
country,  jotting  down  in  his  mind  certain  landmarks  to  go 

A  smudge  of  smoke  in  the  southwest  held  his  gaze,  one  of 
the  ominous  pillars  that  had  followed  him  for  three  days. 
Another  column,  directly  south,  was  crawling  high  above  the 
forest  crown  A  third  in  the  east  marked  the  long  line  estab- 
lished by  the  Creeks.  As  he  was  about  to  descend  something 
vague  and  sombre  in  the  north  caught  and  held  his  gaze. 
ISTow  it  took  shape  and  ballooned  upward,  opening  like  the 
petals  of  a  black  flower.  The  Cherokees  were  signalling  to 
the  Creeks  that  they,  too,  were  on  guard  and  waiting  for 
their  old  foe  to  be  driven  into  their  arms. 

"  The  trap  is  well  set,'^  mused  Chucky  Jack. 

As  he  slid  down  from  his  perch  his  attention  was  attracted 
by  the  action  of  the  myriads  of  water-fowl  in  the  north. 
They  began  rising  in  fan-like  formations  at  the  very  edge 
of  the  swamp;  nor  did  they  circle  about  and  return  to  their 
feeding-grounds,  but  flew  some  distance  to  the  east  before  de- 
scending. He  waited  and  after  a  time  a  second  flock,  much 
nearer  his  refuge,  took  wing  and  whirred  away. 

"They're  coming,"  he  mumbled,  beginning  to  locate  the 
probable  path  of  the  advancing  enemy. 

Dropping  to  the  ground,  he  hastened  to  the  foot  of  the 
knoll  and  caught  King  and  led  him  into  a  thicket  and  secured 
him.  Then  with  his  rifle  ready  he  stole  to  the  shore  of  his 
little  "island"  and  ensconced  himself  in  a  thicket  of  willows. 
He  believed  he  had  been  there  nearly  an  hour  when  directly 


204  EED  BELTS 

in  front  of  his  position  and  within  a  few  rods  of  firm  land 
he  observed  a  violent  agitation  among  the  bushes  and  caught 
the  sound  of  a  guttural  voice  raised  in  alarm. 

Sevier  crept  from  under  the  willows. 

"  Awi-Usdi !    Higinalii  ?  " 

There  was  but  one  voice  and  it  was  calling  on  the  Little 
Deer  and  asking  if  the  super-spirit  were  not  a  friend.  Sevier 
struck  into  the  bog  and  again  heard  the  frenzied  voice  crying : 

"  Little  Deer !     You  are  my  friend  ?  '^ 

Leaping  from  rotting  stump  to  decaying  log,  the  borderer 
found  himself  committed  to  a  precarious  pathway.  Often  his 
foot  found  a  transient  resting-place  only  to  leave  bkck  water 
behind  as  it  was  lifted.  Sluggish  snakes  were  disturbed  by  his 
passing  and  swam  across  slimy  pools. 

"  Awi-Usdi !  "    Now  the  voice  was  filled  with  despair. 

Springing  to  a  long  tree-trunk,  inches  deep  in  its  pile  of 
vivid  green  mould,  Sevier  ran  to  the  end  and  parted  the 
bushes.  For  a  moment  he  was  astounded  by  the  spectacle  he 
beheld.  An  Indian  face  was  floating  on  the  water,  the  painted 
features  registering  all  the  horrible  anticipation  of  a  hideous 
death. 

Placing  his  rifle  one  side,  Sevier  manoeuvred  gingerly  until 
he  could  reach  down  and  grasp  the  scalp-lock.  Although  he 
could  lift  the  head  a  trifle  and  easily  drew  the  submerged 
body  close  to  the  log,  he  was  unable  to  lift  the  man  from  the 
slime. 

"  What's  holding  you  down  ? "  he  demanded  as  a  brown 
arm  came  from  the  dark  water  and  clutched  frenziedly  at  his 
wrist. 

"  Awi-Usdi  heard  my  prayer !  'He  sent  you !  "  gasped  the 
Indian. 

"  What's  holding  you  down  ?  "  angrily  demanded  Sevier. 

"  My  feet  are  caught  in  the  roots  of  a  water-soaked  stump," 
groaned  the  warrior. 


THEOUGH  THE  NECK  OF  THE  BOTTLE       205 

*^Let  go  my  wrist.  I'll  get  you  out  if  you  do  as  I 
say." 

Staring  up  into  the  bronzed  face  with  a  strange  light  in  his 
eyes,  the  Indian  released  his  hold,  whereat  Sevier  dropped 
in  a  sitting  posture  on  the  end  of  the  log  and  extended  a  foot 
before  the  imprisoned  savage  could  sink.  The  hand  caught 
the  foot,  and  as  hope  brought  intelligence  the  warrior  did 
not  make  the  mistake  of  pulling  his  rescuer  into  the  death- 
trap. Supporting  him  with  his  foot,  the  borderer  gathered 
the  tops  of  several  bushes  into  a  bunch  and  forced  them  down 
until  the  Indian  could  grasp  them. 

"  Now  don't  waste  your  strength,"  quietly  commanded 
Sevier  as  he  slipped  off  his  shirt  and  bent  down  a  small  sap- 
ling which  he  held  with  his  left  hand.  "  You  have  an  ax  in 
your  belt  ?  " 

The  Indian  nodded  vigorously. 

Supporting  himself  by  the  sapling,  Sevier  grimaced  and 
dropped  into  the  slime  beside  the  Indian.  He  had  no  trouble 
in  securing  the  ax,  but  he  grunted  loudly  in  disgust  as  he 
shifted  his  hold  on  the  bowed  sapling  and  allowed  his  body 
to  sink  beneath  the  stagnant  water.  He  remained  long 
enough  to  locate  one  of  the  imprisoned  feet,  then  pulled  him- 
self above  the  filthy  surface.  Filling  his  lungs,  he  drew  the 
ax  from  his  belt  and  again  descended.  He  worked  cau- 
tiously to  avoid  chopping  the  foot  and  after  delivering  three 
or  four  blows  was  compelled  to  rise  again. 

For  thirty  minutes  he  repeated  the  manoeuvre,  scoring  noth- 
ing on  some  trips  down,  feeling  the  blade  bite  deep  into  the 
tenacious  root  at  other  times.  At  last  the  Indian  gave  a  yelp 
of  joy  and  kicked  one  foot  free.  The  release  of  the  other  foot 
was  quickly  effected  as  the  Indian  managed  to  use  the  liberated 
member  as  a  lever. 

As  the  two  bedraggled  men  sat  on  the  log,  puffing  for  breath 
and  staring  at  each  other,  Sevier  smiled  and  greeted  — 


20G  RED  BELTS 

"Jumper  of  the  Deer  clan,  how  did  you  do  a  thing  like 
that?'' 

The  Jumper  wiped  the  muck  from  his  face  and  in  a  weak 
voice  explained: 

"  As  Tsan-usdi  knows,  I  shot  at  a  wolf.  It  was  bad  medi- 
cine. It  made  me  jump  among  the  roots,  thinking  the  stump 
was  stout  and  strong.  When  my  feet  hit  the  roots  they  caught 
round  my  ankles  like  serpents  and  the  stump  sank.  Kanati, 
the  Lucky  Hunter,  is  still  angry  because  I  shot  at  his  watch- 
dog." 

"  But  I  came  and  pulled  you  out.  Kanati  must  be  over  his 
anger,''  soothed  Sevier. 

"  The  Little  Deer  sent  you  when  I  prayed,"  said  the 
Jumper. 

"  The  Little  Deer  will  help  no  man  who  is  being  punished 
by  the  Lucky  Hunter.  The  bad  medicine  has  worked  itself 
weak.  Kanati  forgives  you.  The  Little  Deer  forgives  you. 
Has  the  little  girl  got  her  new  tooth  yet  ?  " 

The  Jumper's  doleful  features  lighted  up.  Hope  gleamed 
in  his  small  eyes,  and  his  strong  chest  expanded  as  he  began 
to  feel  himself  a  warrior  once  more,  a  man  of  the  Deer,  un- 
afraid because  the  gods  were  smiling.  The  reference  to  his 
child  caused  him  to  fairly  beam  with  gratitude. 

"  She  looks  many  times  in  the  glass  Tsan-usdi  gave  her. 
She  know  it  wiU  bring  a  big,  strong  tooth.  Ah !  It  is  good 
to  know  the  Lucky  Hunter  is  no  longer  angry." 

"  Then  suppose  we  get  to  dry  land  and  clean  «p,"  Sevier 
suggested,  taking  his  rifle  and  rising.  "  And  why  did  the 
Jumper  come  out  here  alone  ?  " 

"  I  was  sent  to  kill  a  bad  white  man." 

"  But  I  am  the  only  white  man  here." 

"I  was  told  a  bad  white  man  was  between  our  warriors 
and  the  smoke  signals  of  the  Creeks.  I  saw  birds  flying  away 
when  the  sun  went  down  yesterday.     I  believed  the  bad  white 


THROUGH  THE  NECK  OF  THE  BOTTLE       207 

was  here.  I  waited  till  sunrise  and  came.  I  found  —  my 
friend.'-' 

Sevier  led  the  way  to  the  spring  where  they  cleaned  them- 
selves and  the  borderer's  garments.  This  done  Sevier  in- 
quired — 

"  Where  is  Old  Tassel .?  " 

"  At  Turkey  Town." 

"  I  thought  he  was  at  Great  Hiwassee.  Have  the  Chero- 
kees  caught  a  white  man  called  Jackson  ?  " 

The  Jumper  shook  his  head,  saying: 

"  Creek  runners  came  and  our  warriors  went  out ;  but  he 
must  be  very  cunning.  He  was  not  seen.  His  trail  was  not 
found." 

This  was  the  best  of  news  for  Sevier.  With  Jackson  be- 
yond the  barrier  and  speeding  on  to  the  settlements  there 
was  a  chance  he  might  raise  the  riflemen  and  sweep  down 
on  Hajason's  stronghold  in  time  to  prevent  the  departure  of 
the  Tonpits  for  Little  Talassee. 

"Have  you  seen  Bed  Hajason?" 

"  He  got  fresh  horses  at  Turkey  Town  and  rode  fast  for 
his  home  three  da3^s  ago/'  the  Jumper  replied. 

This  news  was  not  so  pleasant. 

"  Where  is  John  Watts  ?  " 

The  Jumper  waved  a  hand  toward  the  line  of  smoke  signals 
in  the  north. 

"  Waiting  to  catch  me  ?  " 

The  Indian  nodded. 

"  What  does  Old  Tassel  do  at  Turkey  Town  ?  " 

The  Jumper  hesitated,  loyalty  to  his  people  vieing  with 
gratitude  to  his  rescuer. 

"  The  shamans  perform  the  sacred  rites  very  soon,"  he 
slowly  retorted. 

"  Eor  going  to  war  ?  "  sharply  demanded  Sevier,  his  gaze 
contracting. 


S08  EED  BELTS 

^^They  have  looked  in  the  great  crystal  and  found  war 
floating  in  it." 

"  When  did  they  go  to  water  ?  " 

"  They  do  not  begin  the  rites  till  two  days  from  now." 

Sevier  leaped  to  his  feet  and  glared  eagerly  toward  the 
north.  Wheeling  abont^,  he  caught  the  Juniper  by  the  arm 
and  said  — 

"Little  Brother,  you  owe  me  a  life." 

"  Take  it !  "  proudly  answered  the  Jumper,  holding  out  his 
war-ax. 

"  You  shall  pay  me  another  way.  I  must  give  a  talk  to 
Old  Tassel  before  the  Cherokees  go  to  water.  You  must 
take  me  through  John  Watts'  Chickamaugas.  You  must 
take  me  to  Turkey  Town  imseen.  You  shall  leave  me  near 
the  town  and  no  one  shall  know  you  brought  me." 

"  I  can  do  that,  Tsan-usdi,"  quietly  agreed  the  Jumper. 

Sevier's  face  grew  troubled. 

"  It  will  be  hard  to  see  Old  Tassel  alone.  Watts'  Chicka- 
maugas will  go  there  to  perform  the  rites." 

"  The  Chickamaugas  went  to  water  before  you  reached  the 
Creek  country." 

"  Good !  I  remember  Major  Hubbard  said  that  back  in 
Jonesboro,  only  he's  always  hearing  of  war-parties  to  excuse 

his  killings."     Then  to  himself,  " those  hostiles.     They've 

been  on  the  red  path  for  years.  They  don't  count  if  the  rest 
of  the  nation  can  be  held  back." 

"  If  we  are  to  reach  Turkey  Town  in  time  we  must  travel 
all  night.  We  must  cross  that  before  dark."  And  with  a 
shiver  the  Jumper  pointed  north  across  the  traps  of  the  slime- 
covered  swamp. 

"  It  shall  be  done.     I  must  take  my  horse  out." 

"  Then  Little  John's  horse  must  grow  wings  like  awaliili, 
the  war-eagle." 

Sevier  replied: 


THROUGH  THE  XECK  OF  THE  BOTTLE       209 

"But  I  brought  him  in  here,  and  from  the  south.  The 
trail  to  the  north  is  not  so  bad." 

"  Little  John's  medicine  is  very  strong,"  conceded  the 
Jumper. 

Moving  by  night  with  the  stealth  of  phantoms,  with  the 
Jumper  leading  the  way;  following  little-travelled  side-paths, 
sometimes  doubling  back,  often  making  wide  detours  to  avoid 
the  Cherokees  hastening  south  to  be  in  at  the  killing  of  the 
white  man,  the  two  edged  their  way  toward  Turkey  Town. 
The  first  day  they  covered  but  a  short  distance,  satisfied  to 
work  to  the  east  and  taking  time  to  rest;  for  it  was  the 
Jumper's  plan  to  make  a  dash  round  the  left  of  the  Cherokee 
line  and  cover  the  distance  with  a  rush  during  the  last  twenty* 
four  hours  of  grace. 

The  second  night  they  made  notable  progress,  escaping 
detection  by  inches  when  they  stole  between  two  large  groups 
of  warriors.  With  the  morning  sun  they  found  themselves 
above  the  smoke  signals.  They  had  passed  through  the  bar- 
rier and  would  now  have  to  guard  against  stragglers  only. 
Sevier  was  impatient  to  make  an  open  ride  for  it,  as  he 
feared  he  might  be  too  late.  Did  he  arrive  after  the  warriors 
had  gone  to  water  Old  Tassel  would  consider  himself  hope- 
lessly committed  to  a  program  of  war  and,  being  surrounded 
by  men  of  the  belligerent  lower  towns,  he  would  be  too  weak 
to  resist  the  pressure. 

The  Jumper  insisted,  however: 

"They  do  not  begin  the  rites  until  tomorrow.  The  cere- 
mony takes  four  days.  We  must  move  cunningly  until  dark. 
If  I  am  seen  by  Watts'  Chickamaugas  — " 

"  You  shall  not  be  seen.  We  will  move  cunningly,"  agreed 
Sevier. 


CHAPTER  XI 

SEVIER  OFFEES  THE  RED  AX 

OLD  TASSEL  wished  he  had  remained  at  the  Little 
Tennessee  towns  instead  of  coming  to  the  country 
dominated  by  the  war-spirit  of  the  Chickamangas. 
In  particular  did  he  regret  his  visit  to  Turkey  Town,  where 
messages  from  McGillivray  poured  in  upon  him  and  where 
he  could  not  hide  from  the  persuasive  tongue  of  John  Watts. 
As  he  was  fond  of  reminding  those  who  met  him  in  council, 
he  was  an  old  man. 

When  the  pressure  of  the  war-faction  threatened  to  become 
irresistible  he  could  only  console  himself  with  thinking  that 
war  might  not  come  in  his  day.  'Now,  here  in  Turkey  Town, 
even  this  sorry  consolation  was  denied  him.  Pacifist  and 
diplomat,  he  had  been  overwhelmed  by  the  enthusiasm  of 
Watts  and  the  insistence  of  Dragging  Canoe. 

In  seeking  to  temporize  he  had  drifted  unconsciously  with 
the  tide.  Like  one  helpless  in  a  dream-drama  he  now  found 
himself  in  the  council-house  about  to  listen  to  the  formal 
speeches  which  preceded  the  sacred  rites  of  getting  the  eagle's 
feathers,  the  shamans'  recital  of  the  formula  for  those  about 
to  take  the  war-path,  the  going  to  water  and  the  chewing  of 
the  charmed  root.  Even  now  he  would  have  entered  a  protest 
and  asked  time  to  reconsider,  but  the  Chickamauga  chiefs  had 
so  cunningly  hurried  him  along  he  found  himself  accepted 
as  a  war  votary. 

Watts  felt  so  secure  that  this  day  would  see  Cherokee  and 
Creek  enrolled  in  a  common  cause  he  did  not  hesitate  to  re- 
turn to  his  warriors,  who  were  waiting  to  pounce  upon  Sevier. 

210 


SEVIER  OFFEES  THE  KED  AX  211 

The  borderer's  escape  from  McGillivray's  hands  would  soon 
take  on  a  tinge  of  the  supernatural  if  the  man  were  not  caught. 
The  runners^  who  had  brought  the  news  and  the  emperors 
request  for  co-operation,  told  of  the  slaughtered  dogs.  This 
feat  alone  was  bound  to  make  a  tremendous  sensation  through- 
out the  nation  and  redound  mightily  to  Sevier's  reputation 
unless  he  were  run  down  immediately. 

There  was  no  doubt  in  either  Cherokee  or  Creek  minds  as 
to  Sevier's  hiding-place.  It  had  to  be  in  the  narrow  strip  of 
territory  between  the  two  lines  of  smokes.  Even  had  Watts 
felt  uneasy  to  leave  Old  Tassel's  side  the  necessity  of  captur- 
ing Chucky  Jack  would  have  called  him  away.  Already  one 
refugee  from  the  Creek  country  had  passed  the  Cherokee  lines 
—  Kirk  Jackson.  The  young  Virginian's  successful  flight 
escaped  being  a  disgrace  to  the  Cherokee  Nation  because  he 
had  penetrated  deep  into  the  country  before  the  runners  ar- 
rived with  the  news. 

Warriors  had  been  sent  after  him  and  there  was  a  chance 
he  might  be  overtaken  before  he  could  reach  the  French 
Broad.  But  there  would  be  no  excuse  if  Chucky  Jack,  prize 
of  all  prizes,  slipped  through  the  Cherokees'  hands.  Thus, 
despite  his  inclination  to  remain  at  the  village  until  Old 
Tassel  was  irrevocably  crowded  into  the  war-pact,  Chief  Watts 
was  compelled  to  rejoin  his  lynx-eyed  warriors.  And  Old 
Tassel  sat  disconsolate  and  heavy-hearted  among  the  hot- 
bloods. 

There  were  staid  and  sophisticated  head  men  in  Old  Tassel's 
train  who  would  be  pleased  to  see  the  red  ax  buried.  These 
lived  in  the  Eastern  towns  and  had  mingled  with  the  whites 
and  had  begun  to  realize  the  irresistible  momentum  of  the 
tide  sweeping  down  over  the  Alleghanies.  Old  Tassel  knew 
he  could  count  on  his  followers,  but  he  had  permitted  John 
Watts  to  believe  he  would  consent  to  war,  and  he  feared  the 
scorn  of  the  fighting  chief  and  his  men. 


212  EED  BELTS 

Now  that  he  knew  he  was  being  carried  along  with  the  red 
tide  and  was  to  be  dashed  against  the  Western  settlements  he 
sought  surcease  from  worry  by  w^hipping  himself  into  a  rage. 
God  knows  he  had  had  much  to  bitterly  complain  of.  But 
despite  the  injustices  worked  him  he  could  not  establish  a 
lasting  anger.  His  attempt  to  cultivate  a  blood-lust  failed. 
He  had  held  to  the  white  trail  too  long.  Even  in  these  great 
moments  of  regret  he  recalled  certain  victories  he  had  won 
by  guile  and  cunning,  or  fair  dealing,  when  never  an  ax  was 
reddened  with  blood. 

The  long  benches  were  full  and  the  majority  of  those  pres- 
ent were  flushed  with  thoughts  of  conquest.  Theoretically 
they  could  not  fail.  Old  Tassel  was  an  Indian  and  not  to  be 
put  out  of  countenance  by  the  death  of  white  folks.  It  was 
the  ever  present  fear  of  disaster  to  his  people  that  worried 
him.  Even  the  most  perfect  of  theories  may  end  in  alarm- 
ing facts.  And  there  was  the  rub.  He  could  not  be  sure 
the  Creeks  would  do  all  they  boasted.  If  a  single  link  in  the 
chain  broke,  the  chain  would  fly  to  pieces.  Then  it  would  be 
Old  Tassel's  domain  that  would  first  feel  the  vengeance  of 
Chucky  Jack  and  his  horsemen. 

Old  Tassel  cast  a  mournful  glance  over  the  assemblage  and 
rose  and  said: 

"  I  am  an  old  man.  My  path  is  very  steep  and  slippery. 
Xow  it  leads  me  to  this  council  where  war  or  peace  is  to  be 
decided." 

He  paused  and  glanced  furtively  about.  With  the  excep- 
tion of  his  own  personal  following  this  ambiguous  announce- 
ment was  received  with  indignant  glances.  Thrown  into 
something  of  a  panic  he  hastily  added  — 

"  I  believe  most  of  the  men  here  are  for  war." 

A  loud  chorus  of  afiirmatives  accented  the  truth  of  this 
statement. 

With  a  poorly  suppressed  sigh  Old  Tassel  continued  — 


SEVIEE  OFFERS  THE  EED  AX  213 


i( 


Is  there  any  one  here  who  has  a  talk  for  us  ?  " 

Up  sprang  one  of  Dragging  Canoe's  leading  warriors,  who 
began : 

"  I  have  a  talk  for  the  Cherokee  Nation.  It  is  a  very  old 
talk.  It  is  as  old  as  the  first  war-wampum.  So  long  as  we 
raised  the  ax  and  gave  blow  for  blow,  we  were  respected  by  the 
whites.  Since  we  have  put  down  white  paths  we  have  been 
crowded  from  our  own  trails  and  thrown  into  the  briars  and 
on  the  rocks,  and  the  white  men  have  filled  those  trails.  In 
the  old  days  we  suffered,  for  we  had  bows  and  arrows  against 
guns.  Today  it  is  not  so.  Spain,  through  the  Creek  Nation, 
will  supply  us  with  many  guns  and  much  powder.  Already 
she  has  given  us  much. 

"We  will  not  have  to  run  from  the  white  man's  gun  or 
dodge  his  bullets  to  get  within  arrow-shot.  We  are  men. 
This  is  our  country  and  we  will  hold  it.  There  was  a  time 
when  our  land  reached  to  the  Ohio  and  the  Great  Kanawha 
and  the  Catawba,  and  to  the  west  as  far  as  our  young  men 
cared  to  hunt.  Now  we  do  not  touch  the  Cumberland,  except 
on  its  upper  waters,  while  the  French  Broad  holds  us  back  if 
we  go  toward  the  rising  sun. 

"  Brothers,  we  are  like  an  old  man,  once  tall  and  good  to 
look  upon,  but  now  bent  and  withered.  There  is  but  one 
medicine  that  will  make  us  young  and  strong  and  straight. 
It  is  a  red  medicine  —  the  blood  of  the  whites.  The  all- 
powerful  Eed  Spirits  of  the  East  do  not  love  those  who  give 
up  their  lands  without  a  fight.  I  speak  with  the  voice  of  the 
five  lower  towns.     I  speak  for  war,  war,  war ! '' 

The  speaker's  fervour  exploded  whatever  restraint  his  hear- 
ers had  been  practising,  and  in  a  frenzy  of  martial  emotion 
brawny  arms  waved  axes  and  many  voices  thundered : 

"  War !     War !     War !  " 

Even  Old  Tassel's  eyes  gleamed  with  savagery,  suggesting 
new  fires  blooming  through  dead  ashes.     Then  returned  the 


214:  RED  BELTS 

old  killing  doubt:  Could  the  white  man  be  driven  out? 
His  gaze  once  more  became  dull  and  lifeless;  and  more 
for  the  sake  of  restoring  a  formal  atmosphere  to  the 
council  than  because  he  wished  to  prolong  the  sitting  he 
asked  — 

"  Is  there  any  one  else  who  brings  a  talk  to  us  before  we 
follow  the  shamans?'^ 

There  was  a  bustling  about  at  the  entrance  and  a  swirl  of 
confusion  as  a  man  heavily  blanketed  unceremoniously  pushed 
his  way  into  the  room  and  stood  before  the  chief.  Throwing 
back  the  blanket  from  his  head  and  figure,  he  addressed  Old 
Tassel,  saying  — 

"  I  bring  you  a  talk,  Utsidsata." 

"  Tsan-usdi !  '^  croaked  Old  Tassel,  his  jaw  dropping  in 
amazement. 

The  assemblage,  stunned  to  silence  at  beholding  the  man 
their  redoubtable  chief  and  the  Creeks  were  seeking,  glared 
incredulously.  Then  broke  forth  a  storm  of  guttural  execra- 
tions, and  brown  hands  stretched  forward  to  grasp  the  impu- 
dent intruder.  Even  in  their  rage,  however,  all  remembered 
the  kind  of  man  Chucky  Jack  was.  His  daring  to  venture 
into  the  council  while  being  hunted  by  the  fighting-men  of 
the  two  nations  was  a  mighty  check  to  homicidal  impulses. 
And  no  hand  touched  him. 

"  Yes,  it  is  Little  John  who  brings  the  talk.  Little  John, 
who  lives  on  the  Nanatlugunyi  — ^  the  spruce-tree  place  ' — 
once  an  ancient  home  of  the  Cherokees.  I  am  here  with  my 
talk,  even  as  I  promised  you  at  Gr^at  Hiwassee  that  I  would 
come.  Did  Little  John  ever  give  his  word  to  Old  Tassel,  or 
to  any  of  his  people,  and  then  take  it  back  ?  " 

He  paused  for  rhetorical  effect,  and  the  aged  chief  began 
to  feel  the  influence  of  his  audacious  presence.  Swinging 
about  and  pointiQg  his  extended  hand  at  the  astounded  and 
wrathful  faces,  he  defied : 


SEVIER  OFFERS  THE  RED  AX  215 

"  Did  I  not  say  I  would  return  and  give  a  talk  to  TJtsidsata 
— '  Com-Tassel ' —  called  Old  Tassel  by  the  white  men  ?  Then 
why  are  the  Cherokees  surprised  to  see  me?  Have  I  ever 
broken  my  word  ?  Then  why  are  hands  clawing  near  my  back 
as  if  a  panther  was  near  ?  " 

Facing  the  chief  again,  he  rapidly  continued: 

"  I  have  always  kept  my  word  with  you.  Who  else  of  those 
you  count  as  friends  have  done  the  same?  Is  he  a  Creek? 
Does  McGillivray  always  keep  his  word?  Or  does  he  first 
build  for  McGillivray  and  ask  you  to  help  him,  and  then  tell 
you  he  is  too  tired  to  help  you  build,  but  some  other  time. 
Eayi.r' 

"  My  men  want  war,  Little  John,  for  the  wrongs  the  white 
men  have  done  them,^'  weakly  retorted  Old  Tassel,  still 
scarcely  able  to  believe  Chucky  Jack  had  slipped  through  so 
many  fingers. 

"  Your  men  shall  have  war,  TJtsidsata.  Men  shall  have  the 
thing  they  crave ;  but  let  them  beware  lest  the  thing  they  seek 
does  not  bring  death  to  them.^' 

"  Ha !  The  white  man  is  a  fool  to  talk  of  Cherokees  dying 
when  he  stands  alone  with  his  enemies  in  the  war-council  at 
Turkey  Town,"  passionately  cried  the  orator  from  the  lower 
towns. 

Sevier  turned  on  him  and  extended  a  knife,  handle  first, 
and  challenged: 

"  So,  Little  John  is  a  fool  to  say  what  he  does,  to  speak 
of  death  ?  Here  is  a  sharp  knife ;  here  is  my  heart.  Use  the 
knife;  kill  my  heart.  But  remember  this,  and  all  here  re- 
member it  —  there  is  one  now  who  is  rallying  the  riflemen 
of  the  Watauga.  Before  my  blood  can  dry  they  will  be  rid- 
ing a  hundred  miles  deep  into  your  country  and  will  be  burn- 
ing your  towns  and  corn  and  driving  your  people  into  the 
mountains,  even  as  they  have  done  before  when  you  shed  the 
white  man's  blood." 


216  EED  BELTS 

Abashed  the  warrior  refused  the  knife.     Old  Tassel  cried  — 

"Who  calls  the  riflemen  together  when  Little  John  is  in 
Turkey  Town?'' 

"  The  man  called  Jackson,  who  was  held  a  prisoner  of  the 
Creeks  in  McGillivray's  own  town  until  I  unfastened  the  door 
and  told  him  to  go.  Did  the  Creeks  and  their  dogs  stop  him  ? 
Could  the  renegade  Cherokees  under  John  Watts  stop  him? 
He  laughs  at  you  and  carries  my  word  to  the  riflemen.  My 
word  is  this :  Unless  I  cross  the  French  Broad  on  a  certain 
day  the  men  of  the  Holston,  of  the  Xolichucky,  the  Broad  and 
the  Watauga,  are  to  enter  the  Cherokee  Nation,  killing  and 
burning.  For  if  I  do  not  come  it  will  be  known  that  Old 
Tassel  has  broken  faith,  doing  me  harm  after  asking  me  to  a 
council  on  my  return  from  the  Creeks." 

The  warriors  glanced  uneasily  at  each  other  and  refused 
to  meet  the  sharp  gaze  of  the  white  man.  Little  John  was 
once  more  establishing  his  influence.  McGillivray  was  con- 
sidered to  be  a  mighty  war-leader;  yet  he  had  been  unable 
to  hold  Little  John  or  Little  John's  friend.  If  the  Emperor 
of  the  Creeks  could  not  hold  two  of  the  borderers  prisoners 
in  his  own  village,  what  guarantee  did  the  Cherokees  have  he 
could  aid  them  in  withstanding  the  attack  of  some  three  thou- 
sand riflemen? 

Old  Tassel,  greatly  alarmed  at  the  prospect  of  having  the 
northern  and  eastern  towns  destroyed,  hastily  insisted : 

"  McGillivray  does  not  make  war  for  the  Cherokees.  It  is 
for  the  Cherokees  to  say  whether  they  will  have  war  or  peace. 
The  Creeks  live  far  from  the  western  settlements.  They 
talk  like  children  at  times.     This  council  has  not  voted  for 


war." 

a 
a 


Not  yet  voted  for  war  ?  "  scornfully  replied  Little  John. 
Then  take  this  talk  from  me  and  have  done  with  talking. 
You  can  have  war.  I  am  not  here  begging  for  peace.  I  am 
tired  trying  to  remain  friendly  with  the  Cherokees.     Take 


SEVIEE  OFFEES  THE  RED  AX  217 

j'our  vote  and  go  to  water;  then  chew  your  sacred  root  and 
see  if  the  medicine  can  stop  our  bullets.  At  Great  Hiwassee 
I  gave  you  a  friendly  talk  and  asked  you  to  a  grand  council. 
And  before  doing  that  I  sent  a  talk  to  you  by  Tall  Eunner  — 
a  peace  talk. 

"  i^ow  I  will  give  you  no  more  peace  talks ;  for  you  do  not 
like  them.  You  want  war.  These  young  warriors  from  the 
lower  towns  want  war.  You  can  always  have  what  you  want 
if  your  medicine  is  strong.  x\s  I  stood  at  the  door  I  heard 
this  warrior  shouting  for  war.^' 

And  he  turned  to  Dragging  Canoe's  orator  and  snatched 
the  ax  from  the  nonplussed  warrior's  belt.  With  his  knife 
he  slashed  his  own  forearm  and  allowed  the  blood  to  drop  on 
the  head  of  the  ax. 

Before  the  stupefied  circle  could  more  than  draw  a  breath 
he  waved  the  gory  ax  above  his  head  and  threw  it  at  the  feet 
of  Old  Tassel,  defying  — 

"  You,  who  want  red  war,  pick  up  that  red  ax ! " 

Old  Tassel  drew  back  as  if  it  were  a  deadly  serpent. 
Wheeling  on  the  owner  of  the  ax,  Sevier  invited : 

"  You  pick  it  up  for  him.  He  is  old  and  his  bones  are 
lame.  You  are  young  and  strong.  You  love  war.  Yours  is 
the  voice  that  raises  the  red  war-whoop.  It  is  your  ax  and 
my  blood  is  on  it.     You  pick  it  up !  ^' 

The  startled  warrior  glared  from  the  chief  to  the  borderer, 
then  dropped  his  gaze  and  folded  his  blanket  about  him  and 
drew  back. 

"  Ho !  Dragging  Canoe's  brave  cries  for  the  white  man's 
blood  but  will  not  take  back  his  own  ax  when  there  is  white 
blood  upon  it !  "  jeered  Sevier,  spurning  the  weapon  with  his 
foot.  "  Is  there  any  one  from  the  lower  towns  who  wants 
to  pick  up  the  ax  ?  Eemember,  the  Creeks  will  help  you  — 
the  Creeks  who  could  not  hold  two  white  men  prisoners. 
What  Chickamauga  wants  it  ?     I  call  on  the  men  from  Eun- 


218  EED  BELTS 

ning  Water,  from  Nickajack,  from  Long  Island,  from  Crow 
Town,  from  Lookout  Mountain  town.  Who  wants  the  red 
ax?" 

Old  Tassel  scrambled  to  his  feet  and  in  a  low  voice  an- 
nounced: ■ 

*^  Eed  axes  have  no  place  in  a  peace  council.  Go  back  to  the 
Nolichucky,  Little  John,  and  tell  your  riflemen  to  put  away 
their  guns.  The  Cherokees  do  not  go  to  water  or  lay  down 
a  red  path.  I  am  an  old  man.  My  path  is  steep  and  slip- 
pery. I  will  not  make  it  red  with  blood.  You  gave  me  a 
promise  at  Great  Hiwassee.  I  gave  you  one.  I  said  if  you 
came  to  me  after  going  to  McGillivray  I  would  meet  you  in  a 
grand  council  on  the  French  Broad.  I  will  do  so.  Go  to  your 
home.  Little  John,  before  your  men  ride  into  my  country. 
You  shall  find  nothing  but  white  trails  between  here  and  the 
French  Broad.     I  have  said  it." 

'*  Ku!  But  there  is  something  else.  How  can  I  hold  my 
riflemen  back  when  Creek  warriors  are  crossing  your  land  to 
strike  us  in  the  head  ?  If  you  are  honest,  see  to  it  the  Creeks 
are  turned  back  home.  For  my  riflemen  will  believe  you 
have  given  them  a  bloody  belt  if  they  see  them  on  your  land. 
Eide!  Eide  fast,  Utsidsata!  Eeach  the  Tellico  before  I 
reach  the  Nolichucky,  so  my  men  may  know  your  talk  is 
straight  when  you  say  you  will  come  to  a  grand  council.  Send 
out  warriors  to  drive  McGillivray's  Creeks  where  they  belong 
—  back  on  the  Coosa.  I  will  not  answer  for  peace  unless  this 
is  done." 

Leaving  the  village,  followed  by  the  black  scowls  of  the 
fighting-men,  Sevier  lost  no  time  in  striking  for  the  Hiwassee 
Eiver  a  hundred  miles  away.  He  left  the  warriors  in  the 
council-house  inert  and  speechless  under  the  impress  of  his 
bold  speech.  His  personal  magnetism  had  once  more  stood 
him  in  good  stead,  and  did  Old  Tassel  ride  for  the  Tellico 
before  Watts  returned  to  Turkey  Town  there  was  every  likeli- 


SEVIER  OFFERS  THE  RED  AX  219 

hood  of  the  Cherokees  refusing  to  complete  their  war-pact 
with  the  Creeks.  A  few  miles  from  the  village,  as  he  gal- 
loped along  the  eastern  bank  of  the  upper  Coosa,  he  found  the 
Jumper  waiting  for  him. 

"  Brother  of  the  Deer,  you  have  a  talk  for  me,''  he  saluted 
as  he  drew  abreast  of  the  silent  figure. 

"  The  man  called  Red  Hajason  is  ahead  with  Creek  war- 
riors. They  will  turn  east  at  Fighting  Town  and  make  for 
the  head  of  the  Hiwassee,  where  Red  Hajason  has  his  village.'* 

"  Tsan-usdi  thanks  you.  Old  Tassel  votes  for  peace.  Go 
to  him  and  say  that  Little  John  demands  the  Creeks  with 
Hajason  be  turned  back  home.'' 

The  Jumper  led  a  horse  from  the  bush  and  scampered  down 
the  trail  while  Sevier  resumed  his  journey.  The  borderer 
knew  he  would  not  be  molested  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
Turkey  Town,  but  so  soon  as  he  encountered  warriors  who 
had  not  learned  of  his  last  talk  with  the  old  chief  there  was 
likely  to  be  trouble.  For  it  was  accepted  as  a  fact  throughout 
the  nation  that  Old  Tassel  had  been  won  over  by  the  war- 
faction.  So  Sevier  held  to  the  trail  for  a  scant  score  of  miles 
and  then  turned  aside  into  the  forest,  to  proceed  by  stealth 
until  the  news  of  Old  Tassel's  latest  decision  could  be  carried 
to  the  northern  towns. 

Behind  him  the  Cherokee  smokes  still  answered  the  Creek 
signals,  the  watchers  confident  that  Chucky  Jack  was  bottled 
up  between  the  lines.  The  result  of  the  peace  talk  had  not 
yet  been  conveyed  to  Chief  Watts.  And  Chucky  Jack  smiled 
as  he  pictured  McGillivray's  rage  on  being  told  Old  Tassel 
was  opposed  to  the  Creek  alliance. 

"  If  he  sticks  to  his  word  and  keeps  on  being  opposed !  " 
Sevier  murmured  as  he  picked  his  way  beneath  the  ancient 
trees.  "  Can  Watts  win  the  chief  back  again  ?  Not  if  fear 
for  his  towns  on  the  Little  Tennessee  sends  him  home  without 
meeting  Watts.     If  he  rides  for  home  he  will  sweep  the  coun- 


220  EED  BELTS 

try  with  the  news  that  the  ax  is  buried.  I'll  save  time  by 
waiting  a  bit  to  make  sure.  If  he  stays  at  Turkey  Town, 
then  "Watts  will  make  him  change  his  mind." 

That  night  he  made  his  camp  on  the  side  of  a  hill  over- 
looking the  trail  to  the  north.  Before  sunrise  he  was  up  and 
anxiously  scanning  the  worn  ribbon  of  a  path  where  it  de- 
bouched into  an  opening.  Either  Old  Tassel  and  his  fol- 
lowers would  pass  within  a  few  hours  or  had  succumbed  to 
the  insistence  of  the  Chickamaugas.  If  the  old  chief  was 
still  for  peace  he  must  be  within  a  few  hours'  ride  of  the  bor- 
derer and  would  press  on  hotly  to  avoid  being  overtaken  by 
Watts. 

With  his  gaze  fixed  on  the  opening  Sevier  saw  the  mist- 
ghosts  rise  and  draw  their  shrouds  about  them  and  vanish 
before  the  level  rays  of  the  sun.  For  two  hours  the  open 
trail  was  purified  by  sunlight;  then  a  horseman,  riding  hard, 
broke  from  the  woods.  Behind  him  came  others,  until  the 
borderer  counted  nearly  two  score,  and  in  the  middle  of  the 
galloping  line  rode  Old  Tassel. 

"  I've  won ! "  softly  exclaimed  Sevier,  sinking  limply  back 
on  the  moss.  "  Old  Tassel  hurries  to  the  Tellico.  That 
means  peace !  Now,  McGillivray  of  the  Creeks,  go  ahead 
with  your  secret  treaty  with  Spain,  and  be  to  you ! " 

In  ffreat  elation  Sevier  shot  a  turkev  and  ate  his  breakfast 
and  leisurely  followed  on  after  the  warriors.  The  cry  of 
peace  would  radiate  on  all  sides  of  their  advance.  Twice  dur- 
ing the  day  he  saw  Cherokees.  One  party  he  avoided.  The 
second  was  afoot  and  hidden  by  a  twist  in  the  trail  and  he 
rode  into  them  unexpectedly.  Instead  of  seeking  to  force  him 
to  pass  between  them,  they  drew  to  one  side. 

Yet  he  halted  and  sternlv  asked  — 

•J 

"  Is  it  peace  ?  " 

They  presented  empty  hands,  and  an  elderly  warrior  gravely 
answered  — 


SEVIER  OFFEES  THE  RED  AX  221 

"  It  is  peace,  Tsan-usdi/' 

He  galloped  on.  Could  he  but  intercept  the  Tonpits  he 
would  set  back  McGillivray's  plans  for  two  years;  and  dur- 
ing that  period  of  grace  he  was  confident  his  riflemen  would 
increase  in  numbers  until  a  show  of  force  on  Spain's  part 
would  be  folly. 

Toward  evening,  while  looking  about  for  a  place  to  camp, 
he  came  to  a  point  in  the  trail  where  Old  Tassel's  band  had 
split  into  two  parties.  The  larger  had  turned  in  an  easterly 
direction,  the  smaller  had  stuck  to  the  main  trail  leading 
north.  He  deduced  the  reason  for  this  division  almost  at 
once.  The  Jumper  had  told  Old  Tassel  that  Little  John 
wanted  the  Creeks  and  Hajason  turned  back,  and  the  bulk  of 
the  warriors  were  following  the  outlaw  to  strip  him  of  his 
escort.  The  chief  and  a  few  men  had  pushed  on  to  make 
the  Tellico. 

With  a  solid  night's  rest  refreshing  him  and  his  mount 
Chucky  Jack  took  after  the  eastbound  band;  for  he  must  be 
near  at  hand  when  Red  Hajason  told  the  Tonpits  they  were 
free  to  go  to  Little  Talassee.  He  knew  Major  Tonpit  would 
bitterly  resent  any  interference  with  his  plans  and  would 
insist  on  going  to  the  Emperor  of  the  Creeks.  In  that  event 
Sevier  planned  to  use  the  girl  as  a  lever  and  take  her  from 
her  father  by  force  if  necessary.  Did  Jackson  succeed  in 
returning  with  the  riflemen  the  task  would  be  simple;  if  he 
failed,  then  Chucky  Jack  must  depend  upon  his  own  medicine. 

A  day  and  a  night  and  another  morning,  and  just  as  he 
was  about  to  light  his  tiny  fire  there  came  the  noise  of  many 
horsemen  riding  carelessly.  He  stood  at  the  head  of  his 
horse  to  prevent  the  animal  from  betraying  him.  First  came 
the  Creeks  who  had  gone  north  with  Hajason,  and  the  bor- 
derer's heart  sang  in  victory.  Behind  them,  taciturn  and 
determined,  rode  Old  Tassel's  Cherokees.  The  Creeks  were 
sullen  and  talked  none  with  their  escort.     Sevier  now  knew 


232  EED  BELTS 

that  Hajason  was  alone,  and  no  sooner  had  the  Indians  passed 
out  of  hearing  than  he  was  riding  madly  along  the  trail  to 
overtake  the  outlaw. 

Near  midday  a  bullet  clipped  through  foliage  on  his  right 
and  missed  him  only  because  of  the  Providential  intervention 
of  a  hemlock  bough.  He  dropped  behind  his  horse  and  drove 
the  animal  to  a  huge  oak,  where  he  left  him  to  slip  into  the 
woods  and  scout  toward  the  source  of  the  murderous  assault. 
He  had  advanced  a  score  of  rods  when  the  rifle  barked  again, 
this  time  back  near  the  trail,  showing  his  assailant  had  dou- 
bled back. 

Sevier  ran  rapidly,  sacrificing  cover  for  speed,  for  he  feared 
his  unseen  enemy  was  planning  to  steal  his  horse.  As  he 
broke  into  the  trail  and  beheld  his  mount  by  the  oak  there 
came  the  thud-thud  of  swift  hoofs  ahead,  and  he  smiled  grimly 
at  the  error  in  his  reasoning.  The  fellow  had  left  his  horse 
in  the  trail  and  was  eager  only  to  escape  after  his  two  un- 
successful attempts  at  murder. 

The  borderer  spurred  after  him,  rejoicing  at  the  prospect 
of  an  open  fight.  Only  once,  however,  did  he  sight  his  quarry. 
He  had  topped  a  rise  and  the  horseman  ahead  was  beginning 
the  descent  of  a  low  ridge.  Already  the  horse  was  hidden 
from  view.  Throwing  forward  his  rifle  and  taking  quick  aim, 
Sevier  fired.  The  man's  fur  hat  leaped  into  the  air.  On 
gaining  the  ridge  Chucky  Jack  found  the  trail  to  be  empty. 

"  He  can  consider  that  a  promise  of  what's  coming,"  Sevier 
told  himself  as  he  paused  to  reload. 

He  raced  on  recklessly,  feeling  only  contempt  for  a  white 
man  who  would  seek  to  ambush  one  of  his  own  colour,  but  he 
pulled  his  horse  in  sharply  enough  on  discovering  the  trail 
of  the  fugitive  now  showed  two  sets  of  tracks.  Either  some 
one  was  pursuing  him  or  had  emerged  from  the  woods  to  ride 
with  him. 


SEVIER  OFFERS  THE  RED  AX  223 

"They're  friends.  Two  against  one,"  he  decided  after 
studying  the  tracks  carefully. 

Night  overtook  him  without  his  sighting  the  couple.  This 
time  he  arranged  his  camp  with  much  cunning,  camping  apart 
from  his  evening  fire  and  arranging  his  blankets  so  as  to  re- 
semble the  muffled  form  of  a  sleeper.  He  fell  asleep  at  once 
and  slumbered  peacefully  until  aroused  by  a  rifle-shot. 

"  Daylight  is  when  I  want  to  meet  you,  my  lads,"  he 
drowsily  murmured  before  turning  over  and  going  to  sleep 
again. 

With  the  first  light  he  returned  to  the  dead  camp-fire  and 
retrieved  his  blanket.  There  was  a  hole  through  one  end  of 
it.  He  examined  the  ground  and  found  where  the  intruder 
had  stolen  forward  to  shoot  and  then  ran  away  without  in- 
vestigating the  success  of  his  shot.  That  he  had  retreated 
in  haste  was  indicated  by  the  broken  sticks  and  the  torn  up 
moss. 

"  Never  even  stopped  to  see  if  he  got  me,"  murmured  Sevier 
with  a  grin.  "  Wonder  if  it  was  Hajason  or  the  man  who 
joined  him.  Hajason  seemed  to  have  enough  grit  when  he 
faced  McGillivray." 

His  visitor  had  come  afoot  and  his  trail  was  lost  once  he 
struck  into  the  main  trail.  Sevier  lost  some  time  in  searching 
for  the  men's  camp,  then  shrewdly  decided  he  could  pick  them 
up  by  pressing  on  to  the  headwaters  of  the  Hiwassee.  Mov- 
ing cautiously,  for  even  a  coward's  lead  is  not  to  be  despised 
in  the  daylight,  he  covered  a  dozen  miles  and  was  brought  to 
keen  attention  by  the  muffled  report  of  a  rifle  some  distance 
away. 

This  shot  was  not  intended  for  him,  and  the  field  of  con- 
jecture was  very  wide.  Had  it  been  followed  by  other  shots 
he  would  have  believed  the  riflemen  were  heading  oft'  Hajason 
and  his  mate.     But  the  forest  remained  quiet  enough  and, 


224  EED  BELTS 

leading  his  animal,  he  stole  on.  Suddenly  a  frantic  scram- 
bling of  a  heavy  body  in  a  dense  growth  sent  him  to  shelter ; 
and  yet  neither  of  the  outlaws'  mounts  could  be  creating  this 
confusion. 

He  stood  erect,  his  gaze  betraying  his  astonishment  as  a 
woman's  voice  close  at  hand  shrieked  the  one  word  — 

"  Father !  " 

The  anguish  in  her  voice  bespoke  a  deadly  fear,  Sevier 
darted  toward  the  sound.  Again  the  voice  rang  out,  this  time 
in  a  cry  of  despair,  followed  by  a  hoarse  shout  of  triumph. 
And  the  bushes  parted  and  a  maddened  horse,  riderless  and 
with  blood-smears  on  his  flank,  plunged  out  and  past  the 
borderer. 

Throwing  caution  to  the  winds,  Sevier  plunged  ahead.  A 
familiar  voice  was  exclaiming: 

"  Eun  ye  down,  pretty  bird,  didn't  I  ?  Wasn't  fit  for  ye 
to  wipe  yer  leetle  feet  on  —  an'  now !  " 

Sevier  became  a  shadow,  but  the  speaker  obviously  attribu- 
ted any  noise  he  had  heard  to  the  mad  plunges  of  the  rider- 
less horse,  for  he  continued : 

"  Hajason  can  play  some  folks  double,  but  not  me,  young 
woman.  Now  ye  quit  that  foolishness  an'  git  up  on  yer  pins, 
or  it'll  be  the  worse  for  ye." 

Parting  some  cedar  boughs,  Sevier  beheld  Lon  Hester. 
The  villain  was  still  wearing  his  bedraggled  cock's  feather  and 
was  standing  beside  his  horse  and  staring  evilly  at  the  limp 
form  of  Elsie  Tonpit,  where  she  lay  unconscious  after  being 
unseated  by  her  crazed  mount.  The  little  drama  was  clear; 
the  girl  had  escaped  and  Hester  had  pursued  and  shot  her 
horse. 

" if  she  ain't  pretty's  a  picter,"  gloated  Hester,  his 

face  growing  bestial. 

The  girl  was  alive  and  Sevier  waited.  Hester  continued, 
speaking  aloud  to  check  off  certain  data : 


SEVIEE  OFFEES  THE  EED  AX  225 

"  I  can't  go  back  to  Jonesboro.  McGillivray  might  pay  a 
ransom,  an'  he  might  string  me  up  without  even  sayin'  thank 
ye.  I  reckon  I'll  keep  her  for  myself,  seein'  as  nobody  else 
'pears  to  want  her." 

It  was  at  this  point  that  Sevier  noiselessly  stepped  from 
c^ver  and  quietly  informed  — 

"  But  I  want  her,  Mr.  Hester.' 


CHAPTEE  XII 

TONPIT   CHANGES   HIS   PLANS 


<  <  y^  HUCKY  JACK !  "  Hester  dully  exclaimed. 

1  "  Drop  your  gun." 

^^-^  The  bully's  readiness  to  obey  convinced  Sevier 
the  weapon  had  not  been  reloaded  since  discharged  at  the 
girl's  horse.  The  borderer  glided  to  the  girl  and  kneeled  at 
her  side.  She  breathed.  The  borderer  started  to  rise,  and 
Hester  pulled  an  ax  from  the  back  of  his  belt  and  hurled  it. 
Sevier  ducked  and  raised  his  rifle.  The  ax  smashed  against 
the  barrel  and  knocked  it  from  his  grasp.  Believing  he  had 
Chucky  Jack  at  a  great  disadvantage,  Hester  leaped  forward, 
his  hands  outstretched,  his  diabolical  fingers  crooked  to  claw 
his  opponent's  eyes.  Like  a  cornered  rat  he  knew  he  must 
fight  as  he  had  never  fought  before. 

To  save  the  girl  from  being  trampled  upon  Sevier  stepped 
over  her  body  without  pausing  to  pick  up  his  rifle.  The  two 
crashed  together  within  a  few  feet  of  the  silent  form.  Still 
having  the  girl  in  mind,  the  borderer  exerted  all  his  energies 
to  force  Hester  back.  The  bully  was  quick  to  realize  that  so 
long  as  there  was  danger  of  their  falling  on,  or  stepping  on, 
the  girl  Sevier  would  fight  defensively,  postponing  any  at- 
tempt to  use  either  of  the  long  knives  in  his  belt. 

Sevier  had  not  forgotten  his  weapons,  but  as  Hester  was 
unarmed  he  was  quite  willing  to  meet  him  barehanded  and 
make  him  a  prisoner.  Hester  bulked  larger  than  the  bor- 
derer and  had  made  man-maiming  a  study. 

He  grunted  in  relief  as  Sevier  clinched  and  made  no  effort 

to  draw  a  knife.     The  bully  blessed  his  luck  for  relegating 

the  contest  to  the  plane  of  sheer  brutality. 

226 


TOXPIT  CHANGES  HIS  PLANS  227 

"  I've  always  hankered  to  git  a  chance  at  ye/'  he  panted, 
clawing  at  Sevier's  eyes. 

Sevier  ducked  back  his  head  and  struck  upward,  a  short- 
arm  jolt,  the  heel  of  his  palm  catching  the  bully  under  the 
nose  and  eliciting  a  howl  of  pain.  Fighting  to  spare  the 
girl,  Sevier  manoeuvred  his  antagonist  back  a  dozen  feet. 
Then  he  flashed  a  smile  of  relief  into  Hester's  distorted  face 
and  the  bully's  moral  fibre  began  to  weaken.  The  fact  that 
Chucky  Jack  had  accomplished  his  first  objective  was  an 
earnest  of  a  second  victory.  Hester  redoubled  his  ferocious 
efforts. 

Sevier  played  back  right  willingly,  his  slim  form  giving  and 
resisting  with  the  supple  strength  of  a  steel  spring.  Hester's 
eyes  grew  a  bit  worried.  In  Jonesboro  he  had  often  told  his 
cronies  that  Chucky  Jack  was  allowed  to  have  his  own  way 
because  of  his  prowess  as  a  rifleman,  and  that  in  a  man-to- 
man contest  he  would  soon  lose  his  fighting  reputation.  In 
drunken  confidences  at  the  tavern  he  had  also  gone  on  record 
as  asking  nothing  better  than  to  be  turned  loose  in  a  fight 
with  Sevier,  each  man  armed  only  with  his  hands. 

Now  that  these  ideal  conditions  were  afforded  him  he  dis- 
covered he  was  not  making  any  headway.  Eepeatedly  he 
essayed  his  coup  de  maitre,  a  play  for  the  eyes,  and  each  time 
he  failed  by  the  edge  of  a  second  and  received  terrific  punish- 
ment in  return.  His  long,  pointed  nails  scratched  the  bor- 
derer's forehead  and  furrowed  his  face,  but  they  could  not 
extinguish  the  blaze  in  the  deadly  blue  orbs. 

He  shifted  his  tactics  and  endeavoured  to  use  his  feet  and 
knees,  but  instantly  the  borderer  pressed  close  until  there 
was  not  enough  room  for  delivering  a  telling  kick,  or  for  a 
drive  of  the  knee. 

"  Any  more  tricks  you  haven't  tried  ?  "  murmured  Sevier, 
viciously  plunging  his  knuckles  into  the  front  of  the  red 
throat. 


228  RED  BELTS 

Coughing  and  gasping,  Hester  faintly  cried  out  a  blas- 
phemy and  feared  he  was  being  mastered  at  his  own  game. 
He  now  knew  Sevier  could  have  blinded  him  a  dozen  times 
had  he  so  desired.  A  terrible  fear  of  the  slim  fighter  began 
to  smother  his  rage.  Judging  Chucky  Jack  by  his  own  stand- 
ards, he  fully  expected  that  when  the  borderer  had  wearied 
of  playing  with  him  he  would  destroy  his  sight  and  leave 
him  to  find  a  hideous  death  in  the  forest.  For  that  was  the 
death  he  had  planned  for  Sevier,  and  he  could  not  imagine 
a  man  foregoing  the  pleasure  once  he  secured  the  advan- 
tage. 

The  two  knives  in  Sevier's  belt  hung  just  back  of  the  hips 
to  be  out  of  the  way  while  riding.  They  were  long,  terrible 
weapons.  Hester  believed  Sevier  could  have  used  these  at 
the  beginning  of  the  fray  and  had  refrained  for  the  greater 
joy  of  blinding  his  foe.  He  could  not  know  that  Sevier  had 
fought  with  his  hands  in  order  to  take  a  prisoner,  and  that 
once  the  borderer  was  committed  to  this  style  of  battle  he  had 
all  he  could  do  to  protect  his  eyesight  and  dared  not  leave 
his  face  unprotected  while  he  fished  for  a  knife. 

And  Sevier  smiled  as  he  blocked  each  attempt,  but  he  was 
more  keenly  concerned  than  Hester  imagined.  Suddenly  the 
bully  butted  his  head  and  at  the  same  time  wrenched  a  hand 
free  and  plunged  it  to  the  borderer's  belt.  Sevier  bowed  his 
head  and  received  the  blow  on  his  forehead,  the  two  skulls 
crashing  together  with  sickening  force.  For  a  second  the 
borderer's  head  swam;  in  the  next  he  had  struck  Hester's 
hand  to  one  side,  but  not  before  the  bully's  long  fingers  had 
gripped  a  knife. 

"  Now !  "  yelled  Hester,  stabbing  joyously. 

"  And  now !  "  replied  Sevier,  avoiding  the  thrust  and  pull- 
ing the  second  knife.     "  I  like  this  much  better." 

Hester  was  surprised  at  the  expression  of  relief  on  Chucky 
Jack's  face. 


TOXPIT  CHANGES  HIS  PLANS  229 

'^  Ye  was  skeered  of  my  hands  ? "  he  grunted,  thrusting 
tentatively. 

"  I  was  afraid/'  confessed  Sevier,  stepping  to  one  side  and 
forcing  him  toward  the  bushes.  "Just  as  I'm  afraid  of  a 
mad-wolf  s  bite.     But  this  is  clean  sport.     I  like  it." 

Hester  believed  him  and  woefully  regretted  his  shift  to  the 
knives.  But  he  grew  optimistic  as  he  observed  Sevier  kept 
darting  glances  about,  a  dangerous  practice  for  a  knife-fighter, 
and  exulted: 

"  Gittin'  sick,  eh  ?  Tryin'  to  find  a  chance  to  sneak  out, 
eh?^' 

"Hardly  that,''  corrected  Sevier,  scoring  him  in  the  fore- 
arm. "  I  had  planned  to  take  you  alive.  Now  I've  decided 
to  kill  you ;  and  as  Miss  Tonpit  is  recovering  her  senses  I'm 
just  looking  for  a  place  where  3'ou  can  die  without  disturbing 
her." 

As  he  spoke  he  thrust  and  slashed  and  drove  the  bully  back 
to  the  fringe  of  bushes. 

Hester's  face  glistened  with  sweat.  Did  he  dare  shift  his 
gaze  aside,  he  believed  he  would  behold  cowled  Death  waiting 
for  him.  Then  there  rang  a  long-drawn  cry  that  caused  the 
combatants  to  throw  up  their  heads  and  for  a  moment  to 
neglect  their  grim  business. 

"  Elsie-e-e  !  Oh,  Elsie-e-e  !  "  called  the  voice,  and  Sevier 
heard  the  girl  stir  behind  him. 

For  a  moment  the  borderer  relaxed  the  pressure  of  his 
attack,  and  with  a  loud  yell  Hester  leaped  backward  and 
threw  his  knife  and  jumped  into  the  bushes.  The  knife, 
thrown  blindlv,  landed  haft  first  between  Sevier's  eyes  and 
confused  him  for  a  second.  Before  he  could  pursue  the  bully 
the  girl's  name  was  shouted  again,  and  the  girl,  now  on  her 
knees,  faintly  answered: 

"  This  way,  father !     Come  to  me !  " 

Sevier  hesitated.     He  could  hear  his  antagonist  crashing 


230  RED  BELTS  1 

away  in  frantic  flight  and  he  knew  he  could  easily  overtake 
him.  But  close  at  hand  Major  Tonpit  was  loudly  calling,  and 
the  girl  could  not  be  left  alone.  Now  she  was  on  her  feet 
and  staring  at  him  wildly. 

"  Who  are  you  with  a  knife  in  your  hand  ?  '^  she  whispered. 

He  advanced  and  with  a  little  scream  of  terror  she  drew 
back,  not  recognizing  him  because  of  his  disordered  garments, 
his  scratched  and  soiled  countenance. 

"  You've  forgotten  John  Sevier  ?  "  he  asked. 

With  a  glad  cry  she  ran  to  him  and  clutched  his  arm  and 
stared  about  in  search  of  Hester. 

"  He's  run  away,  Miss  Elsie,^'  Sevier  soothed.  "  He  won't 
bother  you  any  more.     And  your  father  is  coming." 

"  Father  escaped  from  them !  "  she  rejoiced,  and  lifting  her 
voice  she  called  to  him. 

Sevier  picked  up  his  rifle  and  examined  the  priming,  then 
loaded  Hester's  gun.  Securing  Hester's  horse  he  swung  Elsie 
into  the  saddle  and  led  the  wav  back  to  his  own  mount,  cau- 
tioning : 

"Don't  call  again.  I  can  find  him.  If  the  outlaws  are 
following  him  he'll  bring  them  down  on  us.  Hester  will  set 
them  on  our  trail  soon  enough  without  any  help  from  us." 

Tonpit's  voice  rang  out  again,  this  time  impatiently,  for 
he  had  heard  his  daughter's  voice  and  knew  she  must  be  safe. 
Motioning  her  to  be  silent,  Sevier  gave  a  soft  whistle.  A 
horse  crashed  through  the  undergrowth  and  Tonpit  was  im- 
periously demanding: 

"  Where  are  you,  Elsie  ?     I've  been  horribly  frightened." 

"  This  way,  father,"  she  softly  answered.  "  And  not  so 
loud,  dear.     Those  men  will  hear  us." 

"  There  are  two  of  them  who  won't  hear  anything  this  side 
of  the  Last  Trump,"  he  hoarsely  assured,  spurring  his  mount 
into  the  trail.  On  catching  sight  of  Sevier,  he  levelled  the 
pistol  he  was  holding  and  snapped  it. 


TONPIT  CHANGES  HIS  PLANS  231 

"  Father !  "  groaned  the  horrified  girl.  "  If  s  Mr.  Sevier, 
father." 

Tonpit  leaned  forward  over  his  horse's  neck  and  blinked 
at  the  borderer. 

"  Then  what  the  devil  is  he  doing  here  with  that  scum  ?  " 
he  fiercely  demanded. 

"  He  just  saved  me  from  Hester.  Mr.  Sevier  is  my  friend," 
she  gently  reminded. 

"  Friend  ?  We  shall  see,"  was  the  grim  reply.  "  If  he  is 
our  friend  he  will  guide  us  to  the  trail  that  runs  south." 

"  You  ride  where  ?  "  asked  Sevier,  mounting  his  horse. 

"  To  the  Coosa  Elver.  And  time  is  precious,"  snapped 
Tonpit. 

"You've  been  held  prisoners  by  Eed  Hajason?"  Sevier 
asked. 

Tonpit  nodded  gloomily;  then  with  a  streak  of  suspicion 
he  asked : 

"  How  did  you  know  about  it  ?  Has  my  daughter  told 
you  ?  " 

"  I've  had  no  time  to  talk  with  your  daught-er,"  Sevier 
coldly  replied.  "  I  found  her  unconscious  from  a  fall  from 
her  horse.  Hester  was  with  her,  and  I  was  on  the  point  of 
killing  him  when  your  call  disturbed  the  balance  of  battle 
long  enough  for  him  to  escape." 

"  Then  I'm  sorry  I  called,"  growled  Tonpit.     "  But 

Hester  said  j^ou  killed  the  Indian,  who  was  to  be  my  guide." 

"  He  lied,"  Sevier  calmly  retorted. 

"  He  came  in  the  Indian's  place,"  continued  Tonpit.  "  But 
he  took  us  to  Eed  Hajason's  camp  instead  of  to  the  Coosa. 
We've  been  held  prisoners  ever  since.  Then  Hajason  went 
away,  and  I  got  two  horses  and  Elsie  and  I  rode  for  it,  fol- 
lowed by  the  band.  We  threw  them  off  the  trail  yesterday, 
but  when  we  broke  camp  this  morning  several  of  them  jumped 
us.     She  rode  ahead  while  I  fought  them  off.     I  shot  two 


232  EED  BELTS 

and  got  away,  but,  lost  her.  That's  all  there  is  to  tell,  <;xcept 
I'd  give  a  thousand  pounds  to  know  what  Hajason  is  up  to." 

"  I  can  tell  you  for  nothing,"  said  Sevier.  "  He  went  to 
McGillivray  of  the  Creeks  to  bargain  for  your  release.  On 
returning  he  met  Hester.  They  tried  to  kill  me  and  then 
separated  when  I  chased  them.  Hester  ran  into  Elsie  and 
shot  her  horse.  Hajason  by  this  time  has  connected  with 
the  gang.  McGillivray  offered  Hajason  two  thousand  pounds, 
gold,  for  the  release  of  you  and  your  daughter." 

"  Ha !  "  cried  Tonpit,  his  eyes  flashing.  "  Good  friend ! 
True  friend !  And  by  escaping  we  save  him  his  gold.  But 
how  come  you  to  know  all  this?"  And  the  habitual  air  of 
suspicion  lowered  from  his  gaze. 

"  I  was  in  Little  Talassee  —  his  prisoner.  I've  just  es- 
caped.    Polcher  was  there  — " 

"  Escaped  from  the  Emperor  of  the  Creeks ! "  exclaimed 
Tonpit,  his  tone  implying  an  inclination  to  disbelieve  the 
statement.  Then  hurriedly,  "  And  Polcher  ?  He  helped  to 
arrange  for  my  ransom  ?  He's  true-blue !  He's  humble,  but 
he  has  served  me  faithfully.     I  shall  reward  him." 

"  He's  —  he  has  been  rewarded,  after  a  fashion,"  said 
Sevier.  "  Major  Tonpit,  you  might  as  well  face  the  truth 
now  as  later.  McGillivray's  game  is  played  out.  Old  Tassel 
votes  for  peace.  The  Cherokees  will  not  join  with  the  Creeks. 
Without  them  McGillivray's  pledge  of  twenty  thousand  war- 
riors is  just  ten  thousand  warriors  short." 

**^  I  don't  believe  it,  sir !  "  Tonpit  passionately  cried.  '^  Mc- 
Gillivray of  the  Creeks  will  be  the  saviour  of  the  Western 
settlements !  He  has  done  me  the  honour  of  picking  me  — " 
He  halted  and  frowned  heavily  at  Sevier's  battered  face.  "  I 
was  forgetting  that  you're  on  the  other  side;  that  you  prefer 
bloodshed  and  bowing  the  knee  to  Pennsylvania  and  Massa- 
chusetts to  a  glorious  freedom." 


TONPIT  CHANGES  HIS  PLANS  233 

"  Just  now  I  prefer  clearing  out  from  here  before  Hester 
can  bring  the  outlaws  down  upon  us,"  dryly  retorted  Sevier, 
pricking  his  horse  up  the  trail. 

Tonpit  wheeled  his  mount  and  would  have  struck  to  the 
south  had  not  Sender  caught  the  bridle  of  the  girl's  horse  and 
led  it  beside  his  own. 

"Here,  here,  John  Sevier!  "  Tonpit  remonstrated,  spurring 
after  him.     "  We  ride  to  the  Coosa.'' 

"  You  would  be  overtaken  before  sunset,"  coolly  replied 
Sevier,  increasing  the  pace.  "  By  this  time  Eed  Hajason  is 
in  command  of  his  men.  He  knows  you  would  ride  in  that 
direction." 

"  Where  I  ride  is  my  business ! "  angrily  cried  Tonpit,  now 
on  the  other  side  of  his  daughter  and  attempting  to  wrest  the 
bridle  from  Chucky  Jack's  grasp. 

"  But,  father,  Mr.  Sevier  knows  best,"  pleaded  the  girl. 

"  Is  it  a  girl's  place  to  teach  her  father  wisdom  ?  "  harshly 
rebuked  Tonpit. 

"  You  can't  ride  south,"  quietly  informed  Sevier.  "  Your 
cause  is  lost,  and  I'll  be  shot  if  you  lose  your  daughter  into 
the  bargain." 

"  Eelease  that  bridle !  "  thundered  Tonpit,  now  beside  him- 
self with  rage. 

And  he  raised  the  pistol.  The  girl  threw  herself  forward 
to  block  the  bullet,  and  cried: 

"  Shame,  father !  After  what  he  has  done  for  us !  Better 
shoot  me  than  him." 

Tonpit  sagged  back  aghast.  A  second  more  and  he  had 
pulled  the  trigger,  for  his  mind  was  curiously  warped  and  his 
imprisonment  had  rendered  him  irresponsible.  To  relieve 
the  scene  of  its  tragic  atmosphere,  Sevier  advised: 

"You'd  better  load  that  pistol.  We  may  need  it  soon. 
You've  tried  once  to  shoot  me  with  it." 

Tonpit's  cold  face  flushed  and  he  mumbled : 


234  RED  BELTS 

"I  was  hasty.  I  apologize;  I  will  reload  it.  Then  my 
daughter  and  I  will  ride  south.'' 

"  The  trail  south  is  open  to  you,  but  the  girl  rides  north/' 
Sevier  calmly  informed. 

Tonpit's  eyes  glowed  wolfishly  and  without  a  word  he  be- 
gan reloading  the  weapon.  The  girl  knew  the  climax  would 
come  the  moment  he  finished  his  task,  and  to  Sevier  she 
pleaded : 

"  You  mean  well,  but  after  all  my  place  is  by  my  father's 
side.  I  thank  you  for  what  you've  done.  Now  let  us  part 
good  friends.^' 

"Your  place  is  not  in  Little  Talassee,  where  they  plot  to 
cut  up  the  Union,"  was  the  firm  response.  "Your  place  is 
where  Americanism  thrives,  in  the  settlements,  or  in  the  cities 
over  the  mountains.  Never  where  McGillivray  plots  with 
Spain." 

"  Mr.  Sevier,  I  will  shoot  you  if  you  persist  in  your  inter- 
ference,'^ Tonpit  announced. 

"  Then  you  will  be  a  murderer  and  your  daughter  will  re- 
fuse to  ride  with  you,"  cheerfully  countered  Sevier.  "  If  my 
death  will  restore  the  young  woman  to  the  American  settle- 
ments, why,  I  shall  not  have  died  for  nothing." 

"Put  up  your  pistol,  father,"  commanded  the  girl.  "If 
you  do  Mr.  Sevier  any  harm  I  shall  ride  north  alone." 

Tonpit's  face  became  ghastly  as  he  heard  her  ultimatum 
and  caught  a  reflection  of  his  own  stubborn  will  in  her  young 
face. 

"  You've  tricked  me,  Sevier,"  he  whispered.  "  But  there'll 
be  a  reckoning  between  us — " 

"  Hush ! "  cried  the  girl,  placing  her  fingers  against  his 
lips. 

Sevier  tilted  his  head  and  meeting  her  questioning  gaze 
nodded  gravely. 

"  What  is  it  now  ?  "  growled  Tonpit. 


TONPIT  CHANGES  HIS  PLANS  235 

"  They're  after  us,  the  whole  gang,"  informed  Sevier. 
"  Had  you  started  south  you  would  be  prisoners  by  this 
time.  They're  on  our  trail  and  we've  no  time  for  talk.  Keep 
at  my  heels." 

He  spurred  ahead  with  the  girl  and  Tonpit  raced  after  him. 
Loud  yells  from  behind  advertised  their  discovery  by  the  out- 
laws. Rifles  were  fired,  but  without  aim,  as  none  of  the  lead 
came  near  them.  Sevier  twisted  his  head  and  motioned  for 
Tonpit  to  ride  beside  him  while  the  girl  led  the  way.  As 
Tonpit  drew  up  the  borderer  informed : 

"  We  can't  outride  them.  Your  girl  is  played  out.  A  few 
miles  ahead  there  is  a  cave  near  the  trail  where  we  can  hide. 
Once  there  one  of  us  can  stand  them  off  until  the  other  gets 
help." 

"  Get  help  ?  Who  is  there  to  help  us  in  this  cursed  coun- 
try ?  "  groaned  Tonpit. 

"  The  Cherokees,"  said  Sevier.  '*  Because  of  my  talk  with 
Old  Tassel  they  will  send  men.  Did  McGillivray  have  his  way 
the  Cherokees  would  now  be  at  war  with  the  settlements  and 
be  among  those  hunting  us.  You've  lost  a  chance  to  be 
Spain's  governor  in  the  new  world,  but  we'll  save  the  girl." 

"  Let  us  get  to  the  cave,"  gritted  Tonpit. 

He  dropped  back  and  Sevier  rode  beside  the  girl.  Their 
pursuers  came  fast  and  furious  and  the  borderer  knew  they 
were  gaining.  The  trail  with  its  twistings  and  its  banks  of 
forest  growth  prevented  the  pursuers  and  the  fugitives  from 
glimpsing  each  other.  Pointing  ahead  to  a  lightning-shat- 
tered oak,  Sevier  directed : 

"  When  we  reach  it  you  and  Miss  Elsie  must  dismount  and 
make  back  into  the  woods  till  you  come  to  a  high  ledge.  The 
cave  is  half-way  up  the  ledge  and  can't  be  seen  from  below. 
Better  hide  among  the  rocks  and  wait  for  me  to  lead  you." 

As  they  reached  the  fallen  tree  Tonpit  and  Elsie  dismounted 
and  plunged  into  the  woods.     Sevier  gathered  up  the  bridles 


23()  EED  BELTS 

and  the  three  horses  swept  on.  For  half  a  mile  Sevier  laid 
down  the  telltale  trail,  then  took  to  a  ribbon  of  exposed  rock 
and  turned  at  right-angles  to  the  travelled  path,  his  course 
paralleling  that  taken  by  the  Tonpits. 

A  quarter  of  a  mile  of  cautious  advance  brought  him  to  the 
foot  of  the  ridge,  and  he  turned  south  and  soon  came  to  the 
ledge.  As  he  leaped  to  the  ground  and  led  the  horses  deep 
among  the  rocks  and  brush  Elsie  Tonpit's  face  peered  from 
behind  a  boulder.  In  another  moment  he  was  leading  father 
and  daughter  to  the  hiding-place. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

THE  SENTENCE  OP  THE   WILDERNESS 

ALTHOUGH  styled  a  cave  by  Sevier  the  hiding-place 
in  the  ledge  was  only  a  rock  recess,  caused  by  the 
undercutting  of  surface  waters.  In  this  pocket  the 
borderer  left  the  Tonpits  while  he  went  for  assistance.  He 
was  surprised  on  scouting  toward  the  trail  to  hear  the  voices 
of  the  outlaws  raised  in  loud  discussion.  He  had  taken  it  for 
granted  that  Hajason's  men  would  not  observe  the  abrupt 
ending  of  the  signs  left  by  the  three  horses  and  would  con- 
tinue their  pursuit  for  some  distance  beyond  the  ledge. 

"I  tell  ye  this  is  the  girl's  hoss.  I  plugged  him  to  stop 
the  girl.  That  skunk  of  a  Sevier  can't  make  fast  time  carryin' 
her  on  his  saddle.  Old  Tonpit's  nag  must  be  'bout  blowed/^ 
bawled  Hester's  voice. 

"  My  breed  tracker  says  there  was  three  bosses  ahead," 
boomed  Hajason's  deep  bass.  "  He  didn't  have  to  see  'em 
to  know  that.  If  ye  fools  hadn't  rammed  ahead  of  him  an' 
wiped  out  the  signs  he  could  'a'  told  where  they  swung  off 
the  path.  All  we  know  now  is  that  they  turned  off  some- 
wheres  atween  here  an'  where  we  stopped,  or  'bout  half  a  mile 
ahead.  We'll  have  to  scatter  an'  search  both  sides  of  the 
path." 

"  This  hoss  with  his  flank  ripped  open  is  the  girl's  nag, 
I'm  teUin'  ye,"  persisted  Hester.  "  If  Sevier  didn't  ride 
double  then  they  must  'a'  took  my  hoss.  If  that's  the  case 
an'  he's  within  hearin',  I  reckon  I  can  wipe  out  the  need  of 
searchin'  both  sides  of  the  path.  My  animal  is  trained  to 
prick  up  his  ears  when  he  hears  this." 

Sevier  darted  back  toward  the  three  horses  hidden  among 

237 


238  RED  BELTS 

the  rocks,  but  he  had  scarcely  started  when  the  bully's  shrill 
whistle  rang  out.  Before  he  could  cover  quarter  of  the  dis- 
tance the  whistling  was  repeated  several  times  and  Hester's 
mount  came  galloping  through  the  thickets  in  answer  to  his 
master's  call.  The  borderer  essaved  to  catch  the  bridle,  but 
with  a  snort  the  animal  jumped  aside  and  crashed  toward 
the  trail. 

The  excited  cries  of  the  outlaws,  punctuated  by  Hester's 
loud  oaths  of  admiration,  greeted  the  arrival  of  the  horse. 
Sevier's  only  consolation  was  the  knowledge  that  although  the 
faithful  beast  had  answered  the  call  he  could  not  guide  the 
outlaws  to  the  ledge.  And  yet,  a  quarter  of  a  mile  even  of 
thick  forest  did  not  afford  as  wide  a  margin  of  safety  as 
Sevier  would  wish.  The  borderer  realized  that  whatever  ac- 
tion he  was  to  take  to  safeguard  the  secret  of  the  ledge  must 
be  initiated  at  once. 

At  a  point  where  a  twist  in  the  trail  hid  the  band  from 
view  Sevier  crossed  to  the  other  side.  Moving  parallel  to  the 
trail,  he  gained  a  position  opposite  the  horsemen  just  as  Red 
Hajason  was  commanding: 

"  Spread  out  in  a  thin  line  an'  beat  up  the  woods.  The 
boss  come  from  some  spot  near  here.  The  trackers  will  go 
ahead  an'  foller  the  boss's  tracks.  When  any  one  sights  the 
runaways  jest  give  a  yell  an'  lay  low  till  all  of  us  can  come 
up.     Not  a  word,  mind  ye,  till  ye  see  something." 

Sevier  crawled  closer,  until,  by  kneeling,  he  could  detect 
the  movement  of  a  horse  on  the  trail.  Raising  his  rifle,  he 
fired.  The  animal  dropped,  shot  through  the  head.  The 
rider,  thrown  violently  to  the  ground,  quickly  identified  him- 
self by  cursing  volubly  as  only  Red  Hajason  could  curse. 

Sevier,  although  deeply  regretting  his  lead  had  killed  the 
horse  instead  of  its  master,  thus  distracted  the  outlaws  from 
their  purpose  of  searching  the  woods  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
ledge.     He  began  falling  back,  slipping  noiselessly  from  tree 


THE  SENTENCE  OF  THE  WILDERNESS       239 

to  tree,  while  Hajason  yelled  for  his  men  to  dismount  and  give 
chase.  The  men  obeyed  but  displayed  a  strong  inclination  to 
keep  well  together.  Such  a  daring  attack  could  have  been 
made  by  but  one  man,  Chucky  Jack,  whose  woodcraft  was  su- 
perior to  that  of  an  Indian's. 

^' ye  for  white-livered  hounds  I  ^'  roared  Eed  Hajason. 

"  Spread  out !  A  hundred  pounds  to  the  man  what  fetches 
me  his  head !  " 

Stimulated  by  this  offer  and  spurred  on  by  their  fear  of 
their  leader,  the  men  lengthened  the  line,  and  SeWer  knew 
he  must  give  ground  in  earnest.  He  was  in  a  peculiar  pre- 
dicament, for  his  task  was  increased  two-fold  by  the  appear- 
ance of  Hester's  horse.  He  must  adhere  to  his  original  plan 
of  securing  assistance;  the  safet}'  of  the  girl  demanded  that. 
Yet  he  must  remain  in  contact  with  the  gang  or  the  men 
would  become  discouraged  at  their  lack  of  success  and  return 
to  investigate  the  east  side  of  the  trail. 

To  find  succour  under  the  circumstances  would  demand 
something  of  a  miracle.  Any  band  of  Cherokees  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood would  scatter  and  take  to  cover  when  they  heard 
the  sound  of  the  chase.  He  had  counted  on  finding  a  village, 
unsuspected  by  the  outlaws,  and  by  a  diplomatic  ^'  talk  "  en- 
listing the  aid  of  the  warriors.  The  precipitate  pursuit  elimi- 
nated any  chance  of  finesse.  Could  he  play  the  game  until 
nightfall  he  might  find  it  possible  to  double  back  and  lead 
the  Tonpits  north. 

Against  this  manoeuvre  bulked  the  obstacle  of  the  horses 
and  their  guard  left  in  the  trail.  Once  the  outlaws  lost  him 
they  would  return  to  their  animals,  arriving  coincident  with 
his  return  to  the  ledge. 

"  Devil  of  a  mess ! "  Sevier  inwardly  raged  as  he  knocked 
the  legs  from  under  an  outlaw  closing  in  on  his  right.  "  Held 
up  by  these  scum  after  standing  off  both  the  Creek  and  the 
Cherokee  Nations !     If  it  wasn't  for  Miss  Elsie  I'd  love  to 


<< 
te 


240  EED  BELTS 

stay  round  these  parts  till  there  either  wasn't  any  Chncky 
Jack  or  there  wasn't  any  outlaws." 

His  shot  at  the  man  on  the  right  brought  the  gang  forward 
in  a  wild  rush,  each  eager  to  sight  the  fugitive  before  he 
could  reload.  Sevier  raced  for  his  life  until  he  gained  enough 
leeway  to  pause  and  recharge  his  rifle.  He  had  barely  fin- 
ished when  a  rustling  behind  him  sent  him  to  the  ground,  his 
gun  levelled. 

Wa-ya!"  softly  called  a  voice. 

Ani-waya!"   joyfully   hissed    Sevier,    creeping   forward. 
"  Man  of  the  Wolf  clan,  where  are  you  ?  " 

A  copper-coloured  form  rose  almost  at  his  elbow.  The  bor- 
derer recognized  Bloody  Mouth. 

"  Little  John  never  knew  the  hunting-call  of  the  Wolf  could 
sound  so  sweet,''  whispered  Sevier. 

"  Tsan-usdi  is  chased  by  dogs,"  growled  Bloody  Mouth,  his 
eyes  flaring  with  blood-lust.  ^^I  will  stick  my  ax  in  their 
heads." 

Drawing  the  warrior  back  as  the  outlaws  advanced,  Sevier 
hurriedly  asked: 

"  Where  are  the  Cherokees  ?     I  want  warriors." 

"  You  must  travel  till  sundown  to  come  up  with  them,"  was 
the  discouraging  rejoinder. 

"  That  will  not  do,"  muttered  Sevier.  "  Bloody  Mouth  will 
do  as  his  brother  says  ?  " 

"  He  will.  By  nightfall  his  wolf -call  will  bring  many  men 
of  his  clan.  Then  we  will  hunt  down  and  break  off  the  heads 
of  Tsan-usdi's  enemies." 

"  I  can  not  wait.  There  is  a  white  woman  I  must  take 
north.  Take  my  place  and  keep  falling  back.  Wear  my  hat 
and  hunting-shirt  but  do  not  let  them  see  you  if  you  can  help 
it.  If  they  do  see  you  they  will  think  you  are  Little  John. 
Do  not  speak." 

"  But  I  can  shoot  ?  " 


THE  SEXTEXCE  OF  THE  WILDERNESS      241 

"  Ay,  and  shoot  to  kill.  Lead  them  far.  There  are  many 
horses  back  on  the  trail.     They  shall  all  be  yours.'' 

''  Siyu!  I  feel  my  medicine  is  very  red/'  gloated  Bloody 
jMouth,  slipping  on  the  shirt  and  taking  the  hat. 

With  this  decoy  to  take  his  place  Sevier  sprinted  away  to 
pass  around  the  north  end  of  the  outlaws'  advance.  Occa- 
sional shouts  and  much  rifle-fire  kept  him  informed  as  to  the 
continued  success  of  his  deception.  Bloody  Mouth  was  re- 
treating, and  the  few  flittering  glimpses  the  horse-thieves 
caught  of  him  convinced  them  they  all  but  had  Chucky  Jack 
in  their  power. 

A  crackling  among  the  bushes  near  by  caused  Sevier  to 
drop  into  a  hollow  and  draw  his  knife.  A  man  in  buckskin, 
evil  of  face  and  panting  with  eagerness  to  work  behind  the 
fugitive  and  slay  from  ambush,  passed  close  to  the  borderer. 
Only  the  safety  of  the  Tonpits  prevented  him  from  stopping 
the  outlaw.  In  another  five  minutes  the  fugitive  knew  he 
was  behind  the  line  of  searchers.  Between  him  and  the  trail 
there  could  be  no  menace  except  as  he  might  encounter  a 
straggler. 

His  return  was  unimpeded  and,  cautiously  thrusting  his 
head  from  cover,  Sevier  beheld  two-score  horses  and  five 
guards.  He  was  surprised  at  this  show  of  strength,  having 
believed  there  could  not  be  more  than  a  score  of  outlaws  at 
the  most.  A  new  and  daring  plan  formed  in  his  mind;  to 
rout  the  guards  and  run  off  the  animals  would  be  a  noble 
counter-stroke.  Without  their  animals  Hajason's  men  would 
feel  helpless. 

He  carefully  shifted  his  position,  preliminary  to  covering 
the  guards  with  his  rifle  and  demanding  their  surrender,  but 
was  interrupted  by  a  commotion  in  the  bush  above  him.  The 
guards  observed  it  and  raised  their  guns;  then  they  relaxed 
as  Eed  Hajason  and  Hester  stepped  into  the  trail  and  slowly 
walked  toward  the  borderer's  position. 


242  RED  BELTS 


(( 


I  tell  ye,  the  major'n  the  woman's  back  where  my  hoss 

come  from/'  persisted  Hester.     "  To with  Chucky  Jack. 

Whistle  yer  gang  back  an'  let's  grab  'em." 

Hajason  smiled  cynically  and  retorted: 

"  D'ye  s'pose  I  didn't  have  brains  'nough  to  know  they  was 
back  there  ?  That's  why  ye  run  into  me  on  comin'  back  here. 
We  both  had  the  same  notion,  I  reckon.  Sevier's  out  of  the 
way,  bein'  chased  toward  sundown.  His  goin'  takes  the  men 
out  of  the  way.  It  gives  us  a  chance  to  git  the  major'n  his 
girl  an'  light  out.  Old  Tassel's  ag'in  war.  That  means 
Chucky  Jack  will  have  plenty  of  time  to  fetch  his  riflemen 
down  on  me.  I've  been  lookin'  for  it  for  more'n  two  vears. 
I'm  through  with  this  country.  Me  for  the  Creek  Nation  an' 
the  money  McGillivray  will  pay  for  the  man  an'  woman. 
Then  for  New  'Leans.  Game's  played  out  on  the  Hiwassee. 
Too  many settlers  crowdin'  in." 

"Where  do  I  figger  in  the  money  McGiUivray  pays  ye?" 
curiously  asked  Hester. 

"  I'll  give  ye  five  hundred  dollars." 

" !     An'  after  me  f etchin'  'em  to  ye !  " 

"  Ye  fetched  'em  'cause  ye  couldn't  handle  the  game  yer- 
self.  It  was  me  that  risked  my  neck  in  goin'  to  McGillivray. 
Then  I  got  to  square  some  of  the  men." 

Hester  laughed  mockingly. 

"  Ye'U  take  these  five  men,  mebbe.  An'  after  ye  strike  the 
creek  border  they  can  carry  in  one  eye  all  ye  give  'em.  Gimme 
a  thousand  an'  we'll  round  up  the  Tonpits,  bunch  the  bosses 
an'  ride  for  the  Coosa." 

"  A  thousand !  Ye're  crazy.  After  Polcher  dips  his  dirty 
paws  in,  what'll  be  left  for  me  ?  " 

"Polcher?"  gasped  Hester,  rubbing  his  chin.  "Huh! 
So  he's  down  there.  I  don't  reckon  I  care  for  to  see  Mister 
Polcher.  He  must  feel  nasty  the  way  I  fetched  the  Tonpits  to 
ye.    An'  he's  sure  told  McGillivray  the  trick  I  played.     I 


ii 


THE  SENTENCE  OF  THE  WILDERNESS       243 

ain't  hankerin'  to  see  McGillivray,  neither.     Gimme  the  five 
hundred  now/' 

What  do  I  git  for  the  five  hundred  ?  "  sneered  Hajason. 
I'll  help  ronnd  'em  up  an'  help  run  'em  off  till  we  strike 
the  lower  towns.     I've  got  some  good  friends  there." 

Hajason  stroked  his  beard  thoughtfully;  then  he  prom- 
ised— 

"  As  soon  as  we  git  the  man  an'  woman  on  hosses  an'  ready 
to  cut  an'  run  111  hand  over." 

Hester's  visage  grew  dark  with  passion,  but  he  feared  Ha- 
jason and  smothered  his  rage  and  reluctantly  agreed : 

"Ye  drive  a  fussy  bargain.  But  I'll  agree,  providin'  ye 
can  pay  me  the  minute  we  catch  'em." 

Hajason  tapped  a  bulging  belt  under  his  hunting-shirt 
and  assured: 

"  I've  got  it  with  me.  Don't  fret  any.  I've  been  lookin' 
for  the  game  to  bust  up  an'  always  go  loaded.  It's  yers  once 
we  nail  'em." 

"  All  right,"  said  Hester,  catching  a  horse  and  mounting. 

Eed  Hajason  climbed  into  a  saddle  and  ordered  the  guards 
to  take  the  horses  down  the  trail  a  mile. 

"  We'll  save  time  pickin'  'em  up  there,"  he  laughed. 

"  There'll  be  some  pretty  profits  out  of  the  nags  an'  the 
saddles,"  mused  Hester.     "  S'pose  I  come  in  on  that  ?  " 

"  S'pose  ye  don't,  an'  save  yer  breath,"  snarled  Eed  Hajason. 
"  Ye're  lucky  I  ain't  found  no  fault  for  the  way  ye  let  them 
two  slip  through  yer  hands  while  I  was  gone.  I'm  a  fool  to 
give  ye  even  five  hundred." 

Hester  sighed  and  rode  beside  Eed  Hajason  and  remarked : 

"Wal,  if  ye  feel  that  way  'bout  it,  I  reckon  I  won't  say 
nothin'  more.     I'll  jest  take  all  ye've  got." 

He  had  pistoled  his  man  before  Sevier  could  guess  what 
was  coming.  The  borderer  raised  his  rifle;  then  he  lowered 
it  as  the  five  guards  sounded  a  shout  of  rage  and  started  for 


244  RED  BELTS 

the  assassin.  The  last  Sevier  saw  of  Hester  the  bully  was 
galloping  the  two  horses  up  the  trail  while  he  held  Hajason's 
body  in  the  saddle  and  unfastened  the  heav}^  money-belt. 

After  the  guards  had  pounded  by  his  place  of  concealment 
Sevier  darted  across  the  trail.  The  rearmost  guard  happened 
to  glance  back  and  see  him.  He  wheeled  about  with  a  yell 
of  warning  to  his  mates,  but  the  four  swept  on  to  kill  Hester. 
The  cry  was  answered  from  the  woods,  however,  and  Sevier 
dived  into  cover  just  as  the  outlaws  returned  from  chasing 
Bloody  Mouth. 

The  borderer  had  no  idea  of  leading  the  gang  to  the  ledge, 
and  at  once  he  endeavoured  to  work  north,  parallel  to  the 
trail.  The  outlaws  pressed  him  close.  He  shot  one  and  was 
instantly  engaged  by  two  others.  Clubbing  his  rifle,  he 
knocked  one  senseless,  whereat  the  second  lost  all  stomach  for 
the  fight  and  fled.  The  delay  permitted  others  to  come  up. 
Dropping  his  empty  gun,  he  snatched  up  the  rifles  belonging 
to  the  dead  man  and  his  senseless  mate  and  discharged  both 
pointblank  at  his  assailants.  They  fell  back  in  confusion  at 
this  unexpected  reception,  and  the  borderer  leaped  into  a 
thicket  armed  only  with  his  knives. 

Frantic  cries  from  the  trail,  followed  by  a  volley  of  rifle-fire, 
checked  his  flight  and  turned  him  back  to  investigate.  As  he 
emerged  into  the  trail  a  horseman  threw  up  his  rifle,  only 
to  have  it  knocked  aside  by  Kirk  Jackson. 

"  John  Sevier ! "  he  yelled.  "  John  Sevier  without  his 
shirt ! " 

Chucky  Jack  beheld  his  riflemen  scuttling  into  the  woods 
and  out  again  in  the  process  of  running  the  horse-thieves  to 
cover.  On  the  ground  were  a  dozen  dead  outlaws  and  two 
settlers.  Stetson  was  standing  beside  his  horse,  tying  a 
bandage  about  his  arm  by  using  his  teeth,  the  process  sadly 
weakening  his  emphatic  sentiments  concerning  all  "var- 
ments.^^ 


THE  SE:NrTENCE  OF  THE  WILDERNESS       245 

"  Hester  got  away !  "  panted  Sevier,  throwing  himself  on  to 
a  horse.     "  He  went  north  — '' 

"  We  came  from  the  north.  We  met  him/'  gravely  in- 
formed Jackson.  "We'd  been  here  sooner,  but  the  men 
formed  a  ring  and  he  and  I  had  it  out.  I  found  this  on  him." 
Ana  he  touched  the  money-belt  strapped  outside  his  hunting- 
shirt.  "  Ifll  help  raise  the  militia  you're  going  to  need. 
Now  for  Red  Hajason  —  and  Elsie !  " 

"  Hajason  is  on  the  ground  here  somewhere.  Elsie  and 
her  father  are  near.  Round  up  the  rascals  in  the  bush  and 
I'll  fetch  her  to  you." 

"No;  I'll  go  with  you.  Stetson  is  wounded,  but  he  can 
handle  the  fighting,"  cried  Jackson. 

A  shout  from  Sevier,  and  Major  Tonpit  and  his  daughter 
descended  from  their  hiding-place.  Tonpit  was  stupefied  by 
the  defeat  of  his  schemes  and  showed  neither  resentment  nor 
interest  in  the  young  people's  public  avowal  of  their  shame- 
less preference  for  each  other's  arms. 

"  Creeks  fooled.  Cherokees  quieted  for  a  time  at  least. 
Spain  blocked.  Hajason  wiped  out,"  checked  off  Sevier  as  he 
rode  ahead  with  the  despairing  major  by  his  side.  "  Now  for 
Bonnie  Kate  and  the  building  of  the  new  State." 

Escorted  by  two  thousand  men  in  buckskin,  the  delegates 
met  at  Jonesboro  on  August  twenty-third  and  voted  that  the 
people  should  elect  fifteen  representatives,  who  were  to  write 
a  constitution  for  the  new  State  and  organize  its  Government. 
The  North  Carolina  Legislature  met  in  November  and  re- 
pealed the  Cessions  Act  and  granted  all  that  had  been  asked 
in  the  Jonesboro  petition.  But  the  fifteen  representatives 
proceeded,  nevertheless,  and  created  the  State  of  Franklin 
with  John  Sevier  as  governor,  thereby  constituting  one  of  the 
most  unique  chapters  in  American  history. 

The  new  State  endured  for  three  years,  then  passed  out  of 
existence,  to  be  recreated  in  time  as  Tennessee.     How  Sevier 


246  RED  BELTS 

was  outlawed  by  North  Carolina,  put  on  trial  for  high  treason 
and  rescued  from  the  court-room  in  a  most  amazing  manner ; 
how  he  was  appointed  brigadier-general  by  Washington,  unani- 
mously selected  six  times  as  governor  of  Tennessee  and  elected 
three  times  to  Congress  is  told  in  history. 

How  in  his  last  years  he  was  often  visited  by  John  Watts 
and  other  chiefs,  with  whom  he  had  fought,  and  how  they 
partook  of  his  hospitality  and  profited  by  his  kind  advice, 
rounds  out  a  career  seldom,  if  ever,  equalled  in  all  bordei 
chronicles. 


THE  END 


THE   COUNTRY   LITE   PRESS 
GARDEN   CITY,   N.    Y. 


1 


r^iuji 


Red  Belts,  by  Hugh  Pendexter. 
With  frontispiece  by  Kalph  Fal- 
lon Coleman.  246  pp.  Double- 
day  Pag-e  &  Co.     $1.50  net. 

If  the  south  had  shown  one-half  th« 
interest  in  its  own  history  exhibitet 
by  the  New  Engrls-pd  states  In  theirs 
we  might  have  haci  a  literature  richei 
than  anything  America  possesses  to- 
iay.  Viewed  purely  from  a  dramatic 
standpoint,  what  is  the  story  of  Pon- 
:iac,  for  example,  by  comparison  with 
hat  of  Alexander  McGillivray,  "Em- 
;>eror  of  the  Creeks?"  Yet  everj 
johoolboy  in  the  south  Is  taught  all 
ibout  Pontiac,  while  few  of  them  hear 
lo  much  as  the  name  of  this  most 
)izarre  of  all  monarchs,  this  Indian 
.hief  with  the  manners  of  a  French 
rentleman,  the  brains  of  a  Scotch 
tatesraan,  and  the  cunning-  of  a 
)pechancanou&h,  whose  favor  was 
ought  Mith  bribes  and  flattery  by  no 
gss  personag-es  than  Geoi-g-e.  king-  of 
England,  Charles,  king  of  Spain,  and 
he  first  President  of  the  United  States. 
Why,  also,  should  we.  all  be  taught  to 
eve  re  the  memoi-y  of  Miles  Standish. 
nd  pay  but  scant  nttontion  !o  (hat  of 
ohn    JSovier?     Doubtless^     in    part    be- 


